New Limits Set to Rebuild South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Populations
Published Date: 3/17/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
Amendment 55 changes how scamp and yellowmouth groupers are managed in the South Atlantic to help their populations grow. It creates new fishing rules, catch limits, and plans to keep these fish healthy while balancing the needs of fishermen and communities. If approved, these changes will start soon and aim to protect fish stocks without hurting local jobs or businesses.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
New Catch Limits, Allocations, Rebuilding Plan
If approved, managers would set status determination criteria (SDC), a rebuilding plan, catch levels, sector allocations, sector management measures, and accountability measures (AMs) for the new scamp and yellowmouth complex. These measures would control how much of these species each sector can catch and include rules to rebuild the stock.
New Scamp & Yellowmouth Complex
If approved, yellowmouth grouper would be removed from the "other South Atlantic shallow water grouper" complex and a new scamp and yellowmouth grouper complex would be established. This is a formal change in how those species are grouped for management and applies to fishermen and fishing businesses in the South Atlantic.
Revised Catch Levels for Other SASWG
If approved, Amendment 55 would also establish catch levels for the revised "other South Atlantic shallow water grouper" (other SASWG) complex. This updates how that remaining complex is managed and the amount of fish that can be caught.
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Key Dates
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