FB09-o48 has arrived. It lays out some dates leading up to the January 1, 2010 implementation of the Grouper IFQ program. No big surprises here. Nice to get some solid information, though.
On July 2, 2009, NOAA Fisheries Service approved Amendment 29 addressing new commercial regulations for Gulf of Mexico reef fish. A final rule implementing these regulations published in the Federal Register on August 31, 2009. The rule establishes a grouper and tilefish IFQ program for commercial fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico, establishes design elements of the IFQ program, makes changes to the red snapper IFQ program to align that program with the grouper and tilefish IFQ program, allows consolidation of reef fish commercial vessel permits, and establishes dual classifications for speckled hind and warsaw grouper. Most provisions of the rule are effective January 1, 2010; however, some provisions will be effective earlier to allow for operations required prior to implementation.
Full text available here.
Full pdf available here.