Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico

NMFS issues this final rule to implement Amendment 5 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) and to make other changes to the regulations This rule imposes a moratorium on additional participants in the Gulf of Mexico reef fish fishery who may use fish traps; imposes additional restrictions on the use of fish traps; increases the minimum allowable size of red snapper; requires that most finfish be maintained with head and fins intact through landing; closes an area southwest of Dry Tortugas, Florida, to all fishing during May and June each year; creates a special management zone (SMZ) in the EEZ off Alabama in which there are gear restrictions; and adds to the management measures that may be adjusted via a framework procedure the establishment or modification of SMZs and associated gear restrictions. In addition, NMFS simplifies and clarifies the regulations to conform them to current usage. The intended effects of this rule are to reduce fishing mortality of the reef fish resources so that they may be protected and rebuilt, to enhance enforceability of the regulations, and to otherwise clarify the regulations.