Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Conservation Act of 2013

To provide for the development of a fishery management plan for the Gulf of Mexico red snapper, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Conservation Act of 2013 2. Definitions In this Act: (1) Coastal waters The term coastal waters (A) shoreward of the baseline from which the territorial sea of the United States is measured; and (B) seaward from the baseline described in subparagraph (A) to the inner boundary of the exclusive economic zone. (2) Commission The term Commission (3) Exclusive economic zone The term exclusive economic zone (4) Federal fishery management plan The term Federal fishery management plan section 622.1 (5) Fishery management measure The term fishery management measure (6) Fishery management plan The term fishery management plan (7) Gulf coastal State The term Gulf coastal State (A) Alabama; (B) Florida; (C) Louisiana; (D) Mississippi; or (E) Texas. (8) Gulf of Mexico red snapper The term Gulf of Mexico red snapper (9) Overfishing The term overfishing 16 U.S.C. 1802 (10) Secretary The term Secretary 3. Data collection strategy for Gulf of Mexico red snapper Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission, with the support of the Secretary, shall prepare and adopt by vote a strategy for the collection of data on the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery that shall include— (1) measures to enhance interstate collaboration on the collection of data regarding the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery; and (2) a plan to undertake annual stock assessments of Gulf of Mexico red snapper. 4. Adopting a fishery management plan (a) In general Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall prepare and adopt by vote a fishery management plan and submit the plan to the Secretary. (b) Requirements In adopting a fishery management plan under subsection (a), the Commission shall ensure— (1) adequate opportunity for public participation prior to a vote under subsection (a), including— (A) at least 1 public hearing held in each Gulf coastal State; and (B) procedures for submitting written comments on the fishery management plan to the Commission and for making such comments and responses of the Commission available to the public; and (2) that such plan contains standards and procedures for the long-term sustainability of Gulf of Mexico red snapper based on the available science. (c) Limitations on quotas The fishery management plan shall address the quotas of Gulf of Mexico red snapper on the date of the enactment of this Act as follows: (1) Based on stock assessments, the fishery management plan may increase the quota apportioned to commercial fishing in a fair and equitable manner. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), the fishery management plan shall not reduce such quota until the date that is 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. (3) If there is a reduction in the stock of Gulf of Mexico red snapper prior to the date specified in paragraph (2), the fishery management plan shall reduce quotas apportioned to all fishing sectors in a fair and equitable manner that ensures a sustainable harvest of Gulf of Mexico red snapper. (d) Gulf coastal State requirements The fishery management plan shall describe standards of compliance for Gulf coastal States to use in developing fishery management measures. 5. Review and certification by Secretary (a) Plan review The Secretary shall review the fishery management plan submitted pursuant to section 4 to determine if the plan— (1) is compatible, to the extent practicable, with section 301 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ( 16 U.S.C. 1851 (2) will ensure the long-term sustainability of Gulf of Mexico red snapper populations. (b) Plan certification The Secretary shall determine whether to certify the fishery management plan based on the review conducted under subsection (a). (c) Failure To certify If the Secretary does not certify the fishery management plan under subsection (b), the Secretary shall submit a written explanation to the Commission explaining why the plan was not certified. The Commission may submit a new fishery management plan to the Secretary pursuant to section 4. (d) Time for Secretary response If the Secretary fails to act pursuant to subsection (b) within 120 days of receipt of the fishery management plan, the plan shall be treated as certified by the Secretary. 6. State implementation of the fishery management plan (a) Management measures deadline The Commission shall establish a deadline for each Gulf coastal State to submit fishery management measures to the Commission. (b) Review and approval Within 60 days of receipt of the fishery management measures, the Commission shall review and approve such measures that ensure each Gulf coastal State is in compliance with the objectives of the fishery management plan. (c) Revocation of Federal management The Commission shall certify to the Secretary that the Commission has approved the fishery management measures submitted under subsection (a) for all Gulf coastal States. Upon receipt of the certification, the Secretary shall— (1) publish a notice in the Federal Register revoking those regulations and portions of the Federal fishery management plan that are in conflict with the fishery management plan submitted under section 4, including the deletion of the Gulf of Mexico red snapper from the Federal fishery management plan; and (2) transfer management of Gulf of Mexico red snapper to the Gulf coastal States. (d) Implementation Upon the transfer of management described in subsection (c)(2), each Gulf coastal State shall implement the measures approved under subsection (b). 7. Commission oversight responsibilities (a) Implementation and enforcement of fishery management measures In December of the year following the transfer of management described in section 6(c)(2), and at any other time the Commission considers appropriate after that December, the Commission shall determine if— (1) each Gulf coastal State has fully adopted and implemented fishery management measures; (2) such measures continue to be in compliance with the fishery management plan; and (3) the enforcement of such measures by each Gulf coastal State is satisfactory to maintain the long-term sustainability and abundance of Gulf of Mexico red snapper. (b) Certification of overfishing and rebuilding plans If the Gulf of Mexico red snapper in a Gulf coastal State is experiencing overfishing or is subject to a rebuilding plan, that Gulf coastal State shall submit a certification to the Commission showing that such State— (1) has implemented the necessary measures to end overfishing or rebuild the fishery; and (2) in consultation with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has implemented a program to provide for data collection adequate to monitor the harvest of Gulf of Mexico red snapper by such Gulf coastal State. 8. Opportunity to remedy (a) In general If the Commission finds that a Gulf coastal State is noncompliant under section 7, the Commission shall offer assistance to that Gulf coastal State to remedy the finding of noncompliance. (b) Notification to Secretary for continued noncompliance If, after such time as determined by the Commission, the Gulf coastal State receiving assistance described in subsection (a) remains noncompliant, the Commission shall vote on whether to notify the Secretary. 9. Closure of the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery (a) Conditions for closure Not later than 60 days after the receipt of a notice under section 8(b), the Secretary may declare a closure of the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery within the Federal waters adjacent to the waters of the Gulf coastal State that is the subject of such notice. (b) Considerations Prior to making a declaration under subsection (a) the Secretary shall consider the comments of such Gulf coastal State and the Commission. (c) Actions prohibited during closure During a closure of the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery under subsection (a), it is unlawful for any person— (1) to engage in fishing for Gulf of Mexico red snapper within the Federal waters adjacent to the waters of the Gulf coastal State covered by the closure; (2) to land, or attempt to land, the Gulf of Mexico red snapper to which the closure applies; or (3) to fail to return to the water any Gulf of Mexico red snapper to which the closure applies that are caught incidental to commercial harvest or in other recreational fisheries. 10. Economic analysis and report (a) Economic analysis of Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery The Secretary, in consultation with the Gulf coastal States and the Commission, shall conduct a study and analysis of the economic impacts for the local, regional, and national economy of the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery. The study shall include an analysis of— (1) the beneficial economic impacts on industries directly related to the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery, including boat sales, marina activity, boat construction and repair, fishing gear and tackle sales, and other closely related industries; and (2) the downstream economic impacts of the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery on the economies of the Gulf coastal States, including hotels, restaurants, grocery stores, related tourism, and other peripheral businesses and industries. (b) Biennial reports Beginning 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report on the findings of the study conducted under subsection (a) to Congress, the Governor of each of the Gulf coastal States, and the Commission. Each report shall be made available to the public and shall include recommendations for additional actions to be taken to encourage the sustainability of the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery.

Summary: Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Conservation Act of 2013 - Directs the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission to: (1) prepare and adopt a data collection strategy for the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery, including interstate collaboration measures and a plan for annual stock assessments; and (2) prepare, adopt, and submit to the Secretary of Commerce a fishery management plan providing for the conservation and management of Gulf of Mexico red snapper and describing the standards of compliance for Gulf coastal states (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas) to use in developing fishery management measures. Permits an increase in the quota of Gulf of Mexico red snapper apportioned to commercial fishing based on stock assessments. Prohibits such plan, for a three-year period, from reducing such quota, except in the event of a reduction in stock prior to the end of such period in which case the quotas apportioned to all fishing sectors shall be reduced to ensure a sustainable harvest. Directs the Secretary to determine whether the plan: (1) includes fishery management measures compatible with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and (2) ensures the long-term sustainability of Gulf of Mexico red snapper. Requires each Gulf coastal state to submit for the Commission's approval appropriate management measures that ensure compliance with the objectives of the fishery management plan. Directs the Secretary, upon receiving the Commission's certification that the management measures of all such states have been approved, to: (1) revoke federal regulations and portions of the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico that conflict with the plan for Gulf of Mexico red snapper, and (2) transfer management of Gulf of Mexico red snapper to such states. Directs the Commission to determine, periodically, whether state enforcement is satisfactory. Requires the Commission to: (1) offer assistance to noncompliant states, and (2) vote on whether to notify the Secretary when a state remains noncompliant. Authorizes the Secretary to close a fishery within federal waters adjacent to a noncompliant state. Directs the Secretary to report biennially to Congress, the governor of each Gulf coastal state, and the Commission regarding the economic impacts for the local, regional, and national economy of the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery.