Regulatory Amendment 29 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region

The purpose of Regulatory Amendment 29 is to reduce discard mortality of snapper-grouper species and to decrease the burden of compliance with differing regulations for the dive component of the snapper-grouper fishery while minimizing, to the extent practicable, adverse social and economic effects. The proposed action would require descending devices be on board commercial, for-hire, and private recreational vessels while fishing for or possessing snapper-grouper species, require the use of non-offset, non-stainless-steel circle hooks when fishing for snapper-grouper species with hook-and-line gear and natural baits north of 28º north latitude, require all hooks be non-stainless-steel when fishing for snapper-grouper species, and allow the use of powerheads in federal waters off South Carolina.