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

This final rule implements temporary measures to reduce overfishing of gag in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf). This final rule reduces the commercial quota for gag, establishes a gag bag limit within the grouper aggregate bag limit, and extends the recreational closed season for gag. In addition, if Federal regulations applicable to gag, red snapper, gray triggerfish, or greater amberjack are more restrictive than state regulations, this rule requires vessels with Federal reef fish permits to comply with Federal regulations regardless of where such fish are harvested. The intended effect is to reduce overfishing of gag and increase compliance with Federal regulations designed to end overfishing or rebuild overfished reef fish stocks in the Gulf.