March 2, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
KEY MESSAGE:
- NOAA Fisheries requests your comments on a proposed rule that would prohibit fishing year-round in the Madison-Swanson and Steamboat Lumps Marine Protected Areas and prohibit the possession of Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) reef fish, with no exception for vessels in transit unless the vessel has an operating vessel monitoring system and a valid federal commercial Gulf reef fish permit.
- These prohibitions do not apply to Atlantic highly migratory species.
- Comments are due by April 1, 2021.
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
- The rule would prohibit all fishing, except for Highly Migratory Species, year-round in the Madison-Swanson and Steamboat Lumps Marine Protected Areas.
- The rule would prohibit the possession of Gulf reef fish year-round in these areas unless a vessel has a valid Federal commercial permit for Gulf reef fish, which requires an operating satellite-based vessel monitoring system, and is in transit with fishing gear are appropriately stowed.