Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region; Framework Amendment 4

NMFS issues regulations to implement management measures described in Framework Amendment 4 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagics Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region (FMP) as prepared and submitted by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council). For the recreational sector, this final rule establishes bag and vessel limits, and revises the minimum size limit and accountability measures (AMs) for Atlantic migratory group cobia (Atlantic cobia). This final rule also establishes a commercial trip limit for Atlantic cobia. Framework Amendment 4 and this final rule apply to the commercial and recreational harvest of Atlantic cobia in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) from Georgia through New York. The purpose of Framework Amendment 4 and this final rule is to slow the rate of harvest of Atlantic cobia and reduce the likelihood that landings will exceed the commercial and recreational annual catch limits (ACL), thereby triggering the AMs and reducing harvest opportunities.