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Final Rule Authorizes Observer Program in the Red Snapper Fishery; Establishes Stock Rebuilding Plan - Gulf of MexicoNOAA Fisheries Service has published a final rule to implement Amendment 22 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico. This final rule provides the regulatory authority to implement a mandatory observer program for selected commercial and for-hire (charter vessel/headboat) vessels in the Gulf of Mexico reef fish fishery. In addition, it establishes a stock rebuilding plan, biological reference points, and stock status determination criteria for red snapper. The intended effect of this final rule is to contribute to ending overfishing and rebuilding red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. The rule takes effect July 5, 2005. The rule includes a summary of public comments received on Amendment 22 and
the associated proposed rule along with NOAA Fisheries Service responses. A
section entitled Discussion of Potential Future Action addresses new preliminary
information received after the approval of Amendment 22; the types of additional
measures that may be required; and the procedures, consistent with the red
snapper rebuilding plan, for consideration and future implementation of such
measures.
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