Revisions to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery conservation and Management Act in 2006 require by 2010, all species subject to overfishing must have annual catch limits (ACLs) and accountability measures (AMs) in place. Therefore, Amendment 17 is under development to specify ACLs and AMs for species undergoing overfishing. Amendment 17 could also contain actions for red snapper to reduce fishing mortality and establish rebuilding plans as appropriate, in addition to defining biological reference points.
Proposed Amendment 17 Actions
Reduce fishing mortality for stocks subject to overfishing and establish rebuilding plans for exploited stocks as appropriate.
Define a rebuilding plan for red snapper and establish maximum sustainable yield, optimum yield, minimum stock size threshold, and maximum fishery mortality threshold red snapper as per stock assessments.
Specify ACLs and AMs for species undergoing overfishing including:
Red snapper
Snowy grouper (overfishing should end in 2009)
Golden tilefish (overfishing should end in 2007)
Black sea bass (overfishing should end in 2009)
Red grouper
Black grouper
Speckled hind
Warsaw grouper
Gag
Vermilion Snapper
Establish management measures needed to achieve ACLs.
Amendment 17 is still in the development stage. Updated material on actions contained within this amendment will be posted as it becomes available.
