Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 9

NMFS issues this final rule to implement Amendment 9 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP). Amendment 9 requires, with limited exceptions, the use of certified bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) in shrimp trawls in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the Gulf of Mexico shoreward of the 100-fathom (fm) (183-m) depth contour west of 85 deg.30' W. long.; sets the bycatch reduction criterion for the certification of BRDs; and establishes an FMP framework procedure for modifying the bycatch reduction criterion, for establishing and modifying the BRD testing protocol and its specifications, and for certifying and decertifying BRDs. The intended effect is to reduce the bycatch mortality of juvenile red snapper, while, to the extent practicable, not adversely affecting the shrimp fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico.