KEY MESSAGE: 
NOAA Fisheries announces a reduction to the annual catch limit for vermilion snapper in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf).  The annual catch limit is the maximum amount of vermilion snapper that can be landed each year.  NOAA Fisheries is also specifying a proxy for the maximum sustainable yield, the highest possible annual catch that can be sustained over time.

WHEN RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT:
This rule will take effect on June 13, 2018 at 12:01 a.m.

SUMMARY OF CHANGES:

• Reduce the annual catch limit for vermilion snapper from 3.42 million pounds (mp) whole weight (ww) to 3.11 mp ww for the years 2017 through 2021.
• Establish a proxy for the maximum sustainable yield.

FORMAL FEDERAL REGISTER NAME/NUMBER: NOAA-NMFS-2017-0106, published May 14, 2018.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

Why are the proposed actions necessary?

• In 2016, a population assessment for vermilion snapper provided more reliable data than in previous assessments, and revised catch options were calculated.
• Using the updated data, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council selected the catch projection recommended by their Scientific and Statistical Committee of 3.11 million pounds whole weight.
• To prevent overfishing (too many fish being caught each year), the annual catch limit cannot exceed the acceptable biological catch.  Therefore, the current annual catch limit of 3.42 million pounds whole weight must be reduced to be equal to, or less than, the acceptable biological catch.

Where can I find more information on Reef Fish Amendment 47?

• Amendment 47 may be found online at the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Web site at:
  http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_fisheries/reef_fish/2017/ am47/a47_vermilion_snapperindex.html

• Contact NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office:

By Mail: Lauren Waters