Amendment No. 1 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico.

This first amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico is a major revision of the original FMP in order to solve various problems in reef fishery management that have emerged since the original Plan's approval. The main problems are overfishing and decline of various stocks, excessive bycatch, degradation of fish habitats, and administrative and management problems. The overall goal of the FMP is to manage the reef fish fishery of the united states within the waters of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council jurisdiction to attain the greatest overall benefit to the nation with particular reference to food production and recreational opportunities on the basis of the maximum sustainable yield as modified by relevant ecological, economic, or social factors. Objectives are: 1) To rebuild the declining reef fish stocks wherever they occur within the fishery; 2) to establish a fishery reporting system for monitoring the reef fish fishery; 3) to conserve and increase reef fish habitats in appropriate areas and to provide protection for juveniles while protecting existing and new habitats; 4) to minimize conflicts between user groups of the resource and conflicts for space. Management objectives include, among other things: to stabilize long term population levels of all reef fish species by establishing a certain survival rate of biomass into the stock of spawning age to achieve at least 20 percent spawning stock biomass per recruit; re-specify the reporting requirements necessary to establish a database for monitoring the reef fish fishery and evaluating management actions; revise the definition of optimum yield to allow specification at the species level.
The Plan Amendments pays particular attention to fish habitat and the role of artificial reefs such as oil drilling platforms. It also concerns man-induced activities that have impacted environmental gradients in the estuarine zones such as oil and gas development and production, waterworks and agricultural runoff and other pollution factors. The FMP sets out current habitat protection programs and habitat recommendations. The Council has formed a Habitat Committee and Advisory Panels for the Gulf states.
The Plan provides for estimates for each fish species fisheries and sets out the Optimum Yield (OY) for each of these species. Optimum Yield can be achieved with annual Total Allowable Catch (TAC) specifications for each species or species group. The Council will establish a framework procedure where, on an annual basis, a scientific working group will establish an Allowable Biological Catch (ABC) range and Council sets annual TAC and prescribes fishing restrictions annually to attain the management goal of OY for implementation by the Regional Director of the National Marine Fisheries Service prior to the beginning of a fishing year. New management measures aim at stabilization of long-term population levels of all reef fish species by establishing a survival rate of biomass into the stock of spawning age to achieve at least 20 percent spawning stock biomass per recruit (SSBR), relative to the SSBR that would occur with no fishing. Management measures include size limits to reduce juvenile mortality, possession limits, permits for fish traps, gear restrictions (for specified gear including trawls and longline), prevention of conflicts between user groups, season and area closures, permits and gear identification. The FMP further concerns statistical and research development and requirements and includes recommendations to the Secretary of Commerce and Gulf States.