Department of Commerce September 29, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS announces that the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils (Councils) have submitted Amendment 18 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Region (FMP) for review, approval, and implementation by NMFS. The amendment proposes actions to remove species from the FMP; modify the framework procedures; establish two migratory groups for cobia; and establish annual catch limits (ACLs), annual catch targets (ACTs), and accountability measures (AMs) for king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and cobia. In addition, Amendment 18 proposes to set allocations and establish control rules for Atlantic group cobia and revise definitions for management thresholds for Atlantic migratory groups.

NMFS hereby implements an omnibus amendment to all Mid- Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) fishery management plans (FMPs) to bring all Council FMPs into compliance with the annual catch limit (ACL) and accountability measure (AM) requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (MSA). This rule is necessary to establish measures that address the MSA-required elements to utilize scientific advice, establish catch limits, and maintain accountability in managing fisheries. There are multiple objectives of the Omnibus Amendment: To establish a comprehensive framework for all Council FMPs that is compliant with the MSA requirements and consistent with the National Standard 1 guidelines issued by NMFS; to implement a process that more formally utilizes scientific recommendations in the establishment of annual catch levels; to establish a framework to derive ACLs with AM backstops; and to establish processes for revisiting and modifying the measures established by the Omnibus Amendment so that overfishing is prevented, stocks are rebuilt as needed, and optimum yield (OY) may be achieved for all managed stocks under the Council's jurisdiction.