Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic; Reopening of the Commercial Harvest of Gulf King Mackerel in Western Zone

NMFS reopens the 2013-2014 commercial sector for king mackerel in the western zone of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) exclusive economic zone (EEZ). NMFS previously projected that the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) (equal to the commercial quota) for king mackerel in the western zone of the Gulf EEZ would be reached by September 20, 2013, and closed the western zone of the Gulf to commercial king mackerel fishing in the EEZ at noon, local time, September 20, 2013, until 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 1, 2014. However, updated landings estimates indicate the commercial ACL (commercial quota) for king mackerel in the western zone of the Gulf EEZ has not been reached at this time. Therefore, NMFS is reopening the western zone of the Gulf to commercial king mackerel fishing in the EEZ at 12:01 a.m., local time, on November 1, 2013, until 12:01 a.m., local time, on November 3, 2013. The intended effect of this temporary rule is to maximize harvest benefits for the commercial sector for Gulf king mackerel in the western zone.