April 21, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
Key Message:
NOAA Fisheries requests your comments on a proposed rule for gray triggerfish in the Gulf of Mexico. Comments are due by May 21, 2021.
Summary of Proposed Changes:
- The proposed rule increases the gray triggerfish catch limits by 151,600 lbs whole weight (ww) going from 305,300 lbs ww to 456,900 lbs ww.
- This proposed rule retains the current sector allocation of 79% recreational and 21% commercial.
- The recreational annual catch limit would increase to 360,951 lbs ww and the commercial annual catch limit would increase to 95,949 lbs ww.
- This proposed rule would increase the buffers between the sector annual catch limits and annual catch targets to 24% for the recreational sector and 8% for the commercial sector.
- The resulting annual catch targets would increase to 274,323 lbs ww for the recreational sector and 88,273 lbs ww for the commercial sector.
How to Comment on the Proposed Rule:
The comment period is open now through May 21, 2021. You may submit comments by electronic submission or by postal mail. Comments sent by any other method (such as e-mail), to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NOAA Fisheries.
FORMAL FEDERAL REGISTER NAME/NUMBER: 86 FR 20649, published April 21, 2021
Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.
- Go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAA-NMFS-2021-0030.
- Click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields.
- Enter or attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to Kelli O’Donnell, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701