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Reef Fish Amendment 56 and the proposed rule would modify the status determination criteria, optimum yield, sector catch limits and catch targets and establish a rebuilding timeline for Gulf gag based on the most recent stock assessment (Southeast Data Assessment and Review (SEDAR) 72) and recommendations from the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee. The amendment and rule would also modify the recreational accountability measures and fishing season. The stock assessment indicated that Gulf gag is overfished and was undergoing overfishing as of 2019, and that a substantial reduction in the total allowable harvest is necessary to rebuild the stock. The amendment and proposed rule would also modify the allocation between the commercial and recreational sectors using adjusted recreational landings estimates. The need for this action is to use the best scientific information available to end overfishing of Gulf gag and rebuild the stock to a level commensurate with maximum sustainable yield, consistent with the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.