NOAA Fisheries and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council are preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) for reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico. Amendment 30 to the Reef Fish Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) describes management alternatives to improve the status of greater amberjack, gray triggerfish, gag, and red grouper. Amendment 30 has now been split into 30A and 30B to more efficiently administer revisions to the fishery management plan (FMP) due to significant biomass improvements for greater amberjack and gray triggerfish. Analysis of gag and red grouper management measures in Amendment 30B, such as establishing marine reserves, ending overfishing of gag, establishing gag and red grouper total allowable catch (TAC) indicates no significant environmental impacts.

For additional information, please contact Peter Hood, telephone (727) 824-5305.