The Council is looking at a broad range of potential modifications to the Red Snapper IFQ program, including changes to the program's eligibility requirements; redistribution of shares held in inactive accounts to address regulatory discards; consideration of a full retention commercial fishery for red snapper; exploring share, allocation, and vessel caps on quota; requirements for the use of shares and/or allocation; withholding full distribution of shares in the event of an anticipated mid-year quota change; and increasing enforcement of all commercial reef fish landings.
Although this action focuses on red snapper specifically, the implication of Red Snapper IFQ program changes on the GrouperTilefish IFQ program, and other potential issues within the Grouper-Tilefish IFQ program will also be discussed.
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