Amendment No. 1 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (Mackerels).

This amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic provides a framework procedure for pre-season adjustment of total allowable catch (TAC), revised king mackerel maximum sustainable yield (MSY) downward, recognized separate Atlantic and Gulf migratory groups of king mackerel, and established fishing permits and bag limits for king mackerel. Commercial allocations among gear users were eliminated. The Gulf commercial allocation for king mackerel was divided into eastern and western zones for the purpose of regional allocation. The original Plan failed to prevent overfishing and to achieve Optimum Yield as provided by the first National Standard set forth In the Magnuson Act. Management objectives of the Plan amendment are: 1. To stabilize yield at Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY), allow recovery of overfished populations and maintain population levels sufficient to ensure adequate recruitment; 2. to provide a flexible management system for the resource which minimizes regulatory delay while retaining substantial Council and public input into management decisions and which can rapidly adapt to changes in resource abundance, new scientific Information, and changes In fishing patterns among user groups or by area; 3. to provide necessary information for effective management and establish a mandatory statistical reporting system for monitoring catch; 4. to minimize gear and user group conflicts. The amendment also deals with habitat concerns.
Management measures introduced in this FMP include, amongst others: permits; limited entry; catch restrictions, closed seasons; prohibited species; gear restrictions; reporting requirements; observers; bycatch. The FMP defines Essential Fish Habitat for specified species and allows the Council to use management measures to minimize adverse impacts on EFH from fishing. It also specifies Ecosystem Component Species. In the event that a management agreement between the U.S. and a foreign nation concerning CPS occurs, this FMP authorizes changes or modifications to any management measure through Council processes described herein. All foreign vessels operating in this management area shall have on board a permit issued by the Secretary pursuant to the Magnuson-Stevens Act. This FMP authorizes implementation of measures to control CPS fishing to support conservation objectives identified under overfishing definitions adopted by the Council, the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), or other applicable law, while minimizing disruption of the CPS fishery.