September 28, 2018 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
KEY MESSAGE:
NOAA Fisheries requests your comments on a proposed rule for golden tilefish. The proposed actions would reduce golden tilefish catch limits based on the most recent population assessment. The purpose of the action is to end overfishing (rate of removal is too high) of golden tilefish in the South Atlantic.
Comments are due by October 12, 2018
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
- The proposed rule would set the total catch limit at 342,000 pounds gutted weight (lbs gw).
- This proposed rule would also specify the commercial and recreational sector catch limits and component commercial quotas using the existing sector allocations.
- The commercial catch limit would be 331,740 lbs gw. The commercial quota for the hook-and-line component would be 82,935 lbs gw, and the commercial quota for the longline component would be 248,805 lbs gw. The recreational catch limit would be 2,316 fish.
HOW TO COMMENT ON THE PROPOSED RULE:
The 15 day comment period associated with this proposed rule will end on October 12, 2018. We will address all comments specifically directed to the proposed rule in the final rule. 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: 83 FR 48788, published September 27, 2018
Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.
1. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=NOAA-NMFS-2018-0091.
2. Click the “Comment Now!” icon, complete the required fields.
3. Enter or attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to Karla Gore, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
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