National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration October 19, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

NMFS suspends the minimum size limit of 4.75 inches (120 mm) for Atlantic surfclams for the 2008 fishing year. This action is taken under the authority of the implementing regulations for this fishery, which allow for the annual suspension of the minimum size limit based upon set criteria. The intended effect is to relieve the industry from a regulatory burden that is not necessary, as the majority of surfclams harvested are larger than the minimum size limit.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will convene a series of public hearings regarding Amendments15A and 15B to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan. Amendment 15A will contain actions to establish management reference points, rebuilding schedules, and rebuilding strategies for snowy grouper, black sea bass, and red porgy. Amendment 15B will contain actions to prohibit the sale of recreationally-caught fish, reduce the effects on sea turtle and smalltooth sawfish if hooked, change the permit renewal period, change the permit transferability requirements, implement a plan to monitor and assess bycatch, establish allocations for snowy grouper and red porgy, and establish Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY), Optimum Yield (OY) and Maximum Stock Size Threshold (MSST) for golden tilefish.