Bill 119 s 111 is a proposed legislation that aims to prevent the Secretary of Commerce from implementing any new rules or amendments that would result in the closure of fishing areas in the South Atlantic for species managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery. This restriction would remain in place until the completion of the South Atlantic Great Red Snapper Count study and the integration of its data into the stock assessment.
The purpose of this bill is to ensure that any decisions regarding fishing closures in the South Atlantic are based on accurate and up-to-date information provided by the Great Red Snapper Count study. By delaying the implementation of new rules until this study is complete, the bill seeks to prevent any premature or unnecessary closures that could negatively impact the fishing industry in the region.
Overall, Bill 119 s 111 emphasizes the importance of using scientific data to inform fisheries management decisions and highlights the need for thorough research before implementing any significant changes to fishing regulations in the South Atlantic.