Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico; Amendment 16B

NMFS issues this final rule to implement Amendment 16B to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP). This final rule establishes size limits for banded rudderfish, lesser amberjack, cubera snapper, dog snapper, mahogany snapper, mutton snapper, schoolmaster, scamp, gray triggerfish, and hogfish; excludes banded rudderfish, lesser amberjack, and hogfish from the 20-fish aggregate (combined) reef fish bag limit; establishes new bag limits for hogfish, speckled hind, warsaw grouper, and for banded rudderfish and lesser amberjack combined; and removes queen triggerfish from the listing of Gulf reef fish and from the applicable regulations. The intended effect of this rule is to conserve and manage the reef fish resources of the Gulf of Mexico.