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 to reduce fishing mortality and establish rebuilding plans as appropriate, in addition to defining biological reference points for recently assessed species.
Proposed Amendment 17 Actions
Reduce fishing mortality for stocks subject to overfishing and establish rebuilding plans for exploited stocks as appropriate.
Establish maximum sustainable yield, optimum yield, minimum stock size threshold, and maximum fishery mortality threshold for recently assessed species (red snapper, greater amberjack, and mutton 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
Establish management measures for snowy grouper, golden tilefish, black sea bass, speckled hind, and warsaw grouper needed to achieve ACLs.
Modify data collection/monitoring processes for species in the snapper grouper fishery management unit.
Remove some species from the fishery management unit, particularly those with low occurrence in federal waters.
Extend the range of the snapper grouper fishery management plan north through the Mid-Atlantic Council’s area of authority.
Amendment 17 is still in the development stage. Updated material on actions contained within this amendment will be posted as it becomes available.
