"National standard 9 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSFCMA) requires that the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) minimize bycatch and bycatch mortality to the extent practicable. Additionally, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires that the federal government protect and conserve species and populations that are endangered or threatened with extinction, and conserve the ecosystems on which these species depend. A recent observer study by the Southeast Fisheries Science Center estimated hardshell sea turtle takes by the commercial bottom longline component of the Gulf of Mexico reef fish fishery have exceeded the three-year anticipated take levels in the 2005 Biological Opinion. Therefore, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) and NMFS developed management measures to reduce hardshell sea turtle takes by the bottom longline component of the reef fish fishery. Actions in this amendment that address ways to reduce hardshell sea turtle interactions with bottom longline gear include: 1) modifying bait; 2) area, depth, and season restrictions; 3) reducing effort through a longline endorsement program; and 4) modifying fishing gear to reduce effort"--Abstract (p. v).

This FEIS is prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act to assess the environmental impacts associated with a regulatory action. The FEIS analyzes the impacts of a reasonable range of alternatives intended to establish a federal for-hire: other recreational red snapper allocation. The purpose of this action is to define distinct private angling and federal for-hire components of the recreational red snapper fishery and allocate red snapper resources between the components of the recreational sector to provide a basis for increased flexibility in future management of the recreational sector, and minimize the chance for recreational quota overruns which could jeopardize the rebuilding of the red snapper stock.