Special Council Meeting Cancelled

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 2019

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council has cancelled a special meeting of the Reef Fish Committee and Full Council that was scheduled for Monday, February 18^th, 2019. The Federal Register Notice referencing Final Action on Reef Fish Amendment 50 did not post as anticipated so, the Council is not able to take final action as planned.

Reef Fish Amendment 50 considers allowing each Gulf state to manage a portion of the recreational red snapper quota in federal waters. The Council intended to host this special meeting to ensure that regulations can implemented in 2020, after expiration of the Exempted Fishing Permits that currently allow the States to manage recreational red snapper.

The Council plans to take Final Action on Amendment 50 at its April meeting in Biloxi, Mississippi.