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The Amendment will establish a limited access system and change the
fishing year for Atlantic migratory groups of king and Spanish mackerel to
March 1 through February 28-29. The intent of the proposed actions is to
provide for social and economic stability in the mackerel fisheries.
For a complete description of the actions, please obtain a copy of
Amendment 15 from the:
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
3018 North U.S. Highway 301
Suite 10000
Tampa, Florida 33619-2272
toll-free phone: 1-888-833-1844
email: gulfcouncil@gulfcouncil.org
Written comments regarding Amendment 15 must be received no later than 5
p.m., eastern time, on May 6, 2005. Comments may be submitted via
email, written correspondence, or fax.
Limited Access System: A moratorium on the issuance of new commercial
king mackerel vessel permits was established in 1998, and is in effect
through October 15, 2005. The
Councils’ intent in establishing a moratorium was to later replace it
with a more permanent limited access system. The existing restricted
number of fishery participants, especially in the Gulf of Mexico, has
demonstrated the capability of harvesting the allowable catch well in
advance of
the end of the fishing season. Opening the fishery to new participants
would hasten closures in the various sub-zones. The Councils’ proposed
action would maintain a permit cap on participation for an indefinite
period of time, and provides for social and economic stability in the
fishery.
Change in Atlantic Group Mackerel Fishing Year: The current fishing
year for Atlantic groups of both king and Spanish mackerel extends from April
1 through March 31. A March closure would adversely affect the
social and economic stability of South Atlantic fisheries due to other
commercial closures, such as those for red porgy, gag, and black grouper
during that same month. By changing the opening date of the season to March
1, the Councils reduce the possibility of multiple commercial
fishery closures, and provide economic and social benefits to the fishery.
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