Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; 2019 Commercial Accountability Measures; Annual Catch Limit & Annual Catch Target Reductions

Through this temporary rule, NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for the gray triggerfish commercial sector in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) for the 2019 fishing year. NMFS has determined that the 2018 commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for Gulf gray triggerfish was exceeded. Therefore, NMFS reduces the ACL and annual catch target (ACT) for the commercial sector for Gulf gray triggerfish on August 24, 2019, and these reductions will remain in effect through the end of the fishing year on December 31, 2019. These reductions are necessary to protect the Gulf gray triggerfish resource.