0648-BE46 201410 The Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions 0648 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA 0600 Department of Commerce DOC Rule for Amendment 16 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico, U.S. Waters

The purpose of this rule is to change the annual catch limit and select an accountability measure for royal red shrimp. On January 30, 2012, NOAA Fisheries implemented regulations developed through a generic annual catch limit and accountability measure amendment to multiple fishery management plans, including the Shrimp fishery management plan. However, the "no action" alternatives and discussions were incorrect in stating that there were currently no management restrictions or accountability measures for that species although a quota and in-season quota closure were in the regulations. Now, the quota and in-season closure are in conflict with the subsequently established annual catch limit and accountability measure. The rule would remove the quota and in-season closure, and increase the annual catch limit. The current accountability measure, which requires in-season monitoring and closure the year following an annual catch limit overage, will remain in effect.

]]> Substantive, Nonsignificant First Time Published in The Unified Agenda Proposed Rule Stage No No 50 CFR 622 16 USC 1801 et seq No NPRM 12/00/2014 Yes Businesses None No No Yes No Roy Crabtree E. Regional Administrator, Southeast Region 0648 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA 727 824-5305 727 824-5308 roy.crabtree@noaa.gov 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg FL 33701