NOAA Fisheries Service Announces the Publication of a Final Rule Intended to End Overfishing of Red Snapper in the South Atlantic

On December 3rd, the NOAA Fisheries Service published a final rule to implement Amendment 17A to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, which addresses overfishing of red snapper in the South Atlantic. Important dates to remember:

• The prohibition on all harvest and possession of red snapper is effective immediately, December 3, 2010.
• The snapper-grouper area closure has been delayed until June 1, 2011. This is to allow time for the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council to consider the results of a new red snapper stock assessment completed in late October 2010. Based on the stock assessment, changes may be made to the current closure area.
• The requirement to use non-stainless steel circle hooks north of 28 degrees N. latitude is effective March 3, 2011.

Electronic copies of Amendment 17A may be obtained from the NOAA Fisheries Service Web site at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov, the e-Rulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov docket number NOAA-NMFS-2010-0035, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Web site at http://www.safmc.net, or for hard copies contact:

NOAA Fisheries Service

Southeast Regional Office

Sustainable Fisheries Division

263 13th Avenue South

St. Petersburg, FL 33701