Regulatory Amendment to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan to Set 1999 GAG/Black Grouper Management Measures (Revised)

The reasons why changes are being proposed are discussed in the section titled "Purpose and Need for Action". Proposed Alternatives are summarized under "Proposed Actions". A brief overview of the current stock assessment and findings of the Reef Fish Stock Assessment Panel (RFSAP) is in "Status of the Gag Stock" followed by a synopsis of spawning potential ratio (SPR). A detailed discussion of the rationale, biological impacts, socioeconomic impacts, and regulatory impacts of both the alternatives presented is in "Management Alternatives and Regulatory Impact Review". The "History of Management" provides a summary of all changes to the management of groupers since the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan was implemented. Includes Environmental Assessment, Regulatory Impact Review, and Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis This is a publication of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council pursuant to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award Award no. NA97FC0010