Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Red Snapper Management Measures

NMFS issues this final rule to implement the approved provisions of a regulatory amendment prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) in accordance with the framework procedures for adjusting management measures of the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP). The rule establishes a 4-fish recreational red snapper bag limit with a 0-fish bag limit for the captain (operator) and crew of a charter vessel or headboat and changes the open periods of the fall red snapper commercial season from the first 15 days of each month to the first 10 days of each month, beginning September 1 each year. The rule's intended effect is to maximize the economic benefits from the overfished red snapper resource within the constraints of the red snapper stock rebuilding program.