Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2018 Commercial Accountability Measure and Closure for the Other Jacks Complex

NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the Other Jacks Complex commercial sector in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic for the 2018 fishing year through this temporary rule. The Other Jacks Complex is composed of the lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish. NMFS projects that commercial landings of the Other Jacks Complex will reach the combined commercial annual catch limit (ACL) by August 22, 2018. Therefore, NMFS closes the commercial sector for this complex in the South Atlantic EEZ, on August 22, 2018, and it will remain closed until the start of the next fishing year on January 1, 2019. This closure is necessary to protect the lesser amberjack, almaco jack, and banded rudderfish resources.