Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; 2017 Recreational and Commercial Closures for the Florida Keys/East Florida Stock of Hogfish in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico

NMFS implements accountability measures (AMs) for the recreational and commercial sectors for the Florida Keys/East Florida (FLK/EFL) hogfish stock in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for the 2017 fishing year through this temporary rule. NMFS estimates recreational and commercial hogfish landings for the FLK/EFL stock for the 2017 fishing year have reached their respective annual catch limits (ACLs). Therefore, NMFS closes the recreational and commercial sectors for the FLK/EFL stock of hogfish in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico EEZ on August 24, 2017, through the remainder of the 2017 fishing year. This closure is necessary to protect the FLK/EFL hogfish resource.