Request for Comments: Changes to Catch Levels, Sector Allocations, Accountability Measures, and Management Measures for Red Porgy in the South Atlantic

Key Message:

NOAA Fisheries requests your comments on the notice of availability and proposed rule for Amendment 50 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Amendment 50). The latest population assessment determined South Atlantic red porgy is overfished and undergoing overfishing. If implemented, Amendment 50 and the proposed rule would modify management of South Atlantic red porgy through establishing a new rebuilding plan, and revising the acceptable biological catch, annual catch limits, annual optimum yield, sector allocations, accountability measures, and management measures for the commercial and recreational sectors. The management measures would reduce the commercial trip and recreational bag and possession limit, and implement a 2-month recreational fishing season. Comments are due by November 8, 2022.

Summary of Proposed Changes:

• Rebuilding Plan
  • Amendment 50 would establish a new rebuilding plan schedule equal to 26 years with it starting in 2022 and ending in 2047.​​​​​​​
• Catch Levels and Sector Allocations
  • The proposed total annual catch limit would be equal to the acceptable biological catch of 75,000 pounds whole weight (lb ww) for 2022; 81,000 lb ww for 2023; 87,000 lb ww for 2024; 91,000 lb ww for 2025; and 95,000 lb ww for 2026 and subsequent fishing years.
  • The proposed red porgy sector annual catch limits are based on a revised commercial and recreational allocation of 51.43% and 48.57%, respectively.
    • The commercial annual catch limits would be 37,089 lb gutted weight (gw) for 2022; 40,056 lb gw, for 2023; 43,023 lb gw for 2024; 45,001 lb gw for 2025; and 46,979 lb gw for 2026 and subsequent years.
    • The recreational annual catch limits would be 35,026 lb gw for 2022; 37,829 lb gw for 2023; 40,631 lb gw for 2024; 42,499 lb gw for 2025; and 44,367 lb gw for 2026 and subsequent years.
• Management Measures
  • The commercial trip limits for red porgy would be reduced to 15 fish for both Seasons 1 and 2.
  • The recreational bag and possession limits would be reduced to 1 fish per person per day, or 1 fish per person per trip, whichever is more restrictive.
  • The proposed rule would establish a recreational fishing season for red porgy where harvest would be allowed May 1 through June 30.

• Recreational Accountability Measures
  • The current in-season closure and stock status based post-season accountability measure would be removed. If recreational landings exceed the recreational annual catch limit, the length of the following year's recreational fishing season would be reduced by the amount necessary to prevent the recreational annual catch limit from being exceeded in the following year.

How to Comment on the Notice of Availability and Proposed Rule:

The comment period for the notice of availability is open now through November 8, 2022. The comment period on the proposed rule is expected to fall within this same time frame, and comments on both the amendment and proposed rule will be considered in the final rule. You may submit comments by electronic submission (described below) or by postal mail. Comments received after the end of the comment period may not be considered by NOAA Fisheries.

Federal Register Citation:87 FR 55376, published September 9, 2022Electronic Submissions:Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.

1. Go tohttps://www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAA-NMFS-2022-0054/document.

2. Click the "Comment Now!" icon, complete the required fields.

3. Enter or attach your comments.

Mail:Submit written comments to Frank Helies, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

Where can I find more information on Amendment 50?

• Amendment 50 may be found online at the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/amendment-50-catch-level-adjustments-rebuilding-schedule-and-allocations-red-porgy/.
• By Mail: Frank Helies

NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

Sustainable Fisheries Division

263 13th Avenue South

St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505

By FAX:(727) 824-5308By Phone:(727) 824-5305

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Media: Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750

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