Environmental assessment and regulatory impact review for a rule to reduce sea turtle bycatch by the eastern Gulf of Mexico bottom longline component of the reef fish fishery Rule to reduce sea turtle bycatch by the eastern Gulf of Mexico bottom longline component of the reef fish fishery

"The intent of this action is to balance the continued operation of the bottom longline component of the reef fish fishery in the eastern Gulf of Mexico while maintaining adequately protective measures for sea turtles. The rulemaking is needed until long-term measures can be implemented. The rule would prohibit the use of bottom longlines to fish for reef fish inshore of a line approximating the 35-fathom contour in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and would restrict the number of hooks that can be fished on any longlines in the eastern Gulf of Mexico:--Cover letter summary.