August 13, 2013 — NOAA Fisheries is asking for public comment on a proposed rule that would increase the 2013 commercial and recreational quotas for Gulf red snapper and potentially reopen the recreational season this fall.
The comment period begins when the proposed rule is published in the federal register on Wednesday. The comment period remains open through Aug. 29.
The rule, which already has the endorsement of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, would increase the red snapper quota from 8.46 million pounds to 11 million pounds for 2013 and potentially create a fall red snapper season opening Oct. 1.
The commercial quota would be 5.61 million pounds or 51 percent of the new quota and the recreational sector's share would increase to 5.39 million pounds.
The quotas were increased because a recent stock assessment for red snapper showed the stock can support higher catches. The Gulf Council's Scientific and Statistic Committee determined the acceptable biological catch could be increased to 13.5 million pounds for 2013, the highest level since 1996.
Because the stock assessment also projected lower allowable catches in 2014 and 2015, however, the Council determined red snapper fishermen would benefit more from a constant quota over the next three years, rather than a decreasing quota.