The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met Tuesday via webinar to review recommendations made by its scientific advisors regarding the red snapper quotas for 2015 and beyond. The Council moved to set the red snapper quota equal to the acceptable biological as show below:

Year
ABC
Total Quota
Commercial Quota
Recreational Quota
Recreational
ACT

2015
14.30 mp
14.30 mp
7.26 mp
7.04 mp
5.632 mp

2016
13.96 mp
13.96 mp
7.12 mp
6.84 mp
5.472 mp

2017+
13.74 mp
13.74 mp
7.01 mp
6.73 mp
5.384 mp

The 2017 quota will remain in effect until changed by the Council.

If approved by the Department of Commerce, this action increases the 2015 total quota by 3.3 million pounds, resulting in a commercial quota of 7.26 million pounds, and a recreational quota of 7.04 million pounds. The total recreational annual catch target will be 5.632 million pounds. The length of the recreational season has yet to be determined. NOAA Fisheries Service will determine and announce the 2015 season in the coming weeks.