NOAA’s new rule for GoM

In 2013, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council hosted a workshop to discuss how corals may be affected by fisheries. One of the recommendations from that workshop was to re-evaluate coral areas in the Gulf of Mexico that may warrant special protections. NOAA Fisheries announced the final rule implementing Amendment 9 to the Fishery Management Plan for Coral and Coral Reef Resources in GoM. The final rule will be effective November 16. The rule establishes 13 new habitat areas of particular concern with fishing regulations, designates eight new areas without fishing regulations, and modifies the regulations in three existing areas. These areas have been identified as having sufficient numbers and diversity of deep-water corals to be considered essential fish habitat. (Source: NOAA Fisheries 10/16/20) https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/amendment-9-coral-habitat-areas-considered-management-gulf-mexico?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery