hthoang

I see that the interim measures expire on Sept. 30, unless extended. I'm sure they'll be extended or put into place permanently. However, I can't seem to tell by reading the bulletin when the season actually ends. Does it end sometime in October as usual? What happens if the interim measures are not extended? Do we go back to 4/person until the end of the season? The new snapper regulations are goofy, to say the least...

Domino Effect

Season closes October, 31 @11;59 pm, my interpretation of the interim law which expires September 30 I believe, is it reverts back to 4 fish per person.

Seaquility

Anyone ever get any confirmation on this issue? I have been curious especially since it looks like I won't be going out this weekend. I hope it reverts to the October 31 close and 4 fish limit.

__________________
SeaHunt Triton 240 F250xca

swrock

looks like they are extending the interim rule.
this bulletin was sent out by the orange beach fishing association.

From: "OBFA" [ Save address ]
To: "Undisclosed Recipients"
Subject: Red Snapper Interim Rule Extended
Date: Fri, 21 Sep 2007 19:41:42 +0000
Dear OBFA Member,

Southeast Fishery Bulletin
NOAA FISHERIES SERVICE EXTENDS INTERIM MEASURES FOR GULF OF MEXICO RED SNAPPER AND SHRIMP FISHERIES
Small Entity Compliance Guide

NOAA Fisheries Service announces it is extending interim regulations for the Gulf of Mexico red snapper and shrimp fisheries. These interim measures are intended to address overfishing of red snapper in 2007. The temporary rule also amends regulations for the distribution of Gulf of Mexico red snapper 2008 individual fishing quota (IFQ) allocations.

Extension of Interim Measures

Interim measures may be implemented by the Secretary of Commerce to reduce overfishing until such measures can be replaced by a fishery management plan (FMP), FMP amendment, or regulations taking remedial action. These measures may remain in effect for no more than 180 days, but may be extended for an additional 186 days if the public has had an opportunity to comment on the measures and a fishery management council is actively preparing measures to address overfishing on a permanent basis.

NOAA Fisheries Service determined interim measures were needed to temporarily address overfishing of red snapper in 2007 while the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council) developed additional, long-term measures to end overfishing and rebuild the red snapper stock. The final rule for the interim measures published on April 2, 2007, and these measures will expire on September 29, 2007.

In June 2007, the Gulf Council approved long-term measures to reduce red snapper harvest and bycatch. These long-term measures are proposed through Amendment 27 to the Reef Fish FMP and Amendment 14 to the Shrimp FMP (Amendment 27/14), which are currently under Secretarial review. Amendment 27/14 will not be implemented before the interim measures expire; therefore, NOAA Fisheries Service is extending the interim measures.

In summary, the interim measures to be extended will:

• Continue the commercial red snapper minimum size limit at 13 inches total length.

• Maintain the red snapper bycatch mortality reduction goal in the shrimp fishery to 50 percent of the bycatch mortality that occurred during 2001-2003.

• Maintain the total allowable catch of red snapper for 2007 at 6.5 million pounds (mp), resulting in a commercial red snapper quota of 3.315 mp

and a recreational red snapper quota of 3.185 mp.

• Maintain the recreational red snapper bag limit at two fish per person per day.

• Continue the prohibition of the captain and crew of for-hire vessels from retaining the recreational bag limit.