Book excerpt: "The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) requires the Regional Fishery Management Councils and NOAA Fisheries Service to prevent overfishing while achieving optimum yield (OY) from each fishery. When it is determined a stock is undergoing overfishing, measures must be implemented to end overfishing. In cases where stocks are overfished, the Councils and NOAA Fisheries Service must implement rebuilding plans. The most recent assessment for the red snapper stock in the South Atlantic indicates that the stock is experiencing overfishing and is overfished (SEDAR 15 2008). A new benchmark assessment for red snapper is scheduled to be completed in December 2010. The purpose of Snapper Grouper FMP Amendment 17A is threefold: (1) to implement management measures to end overfishing of the red snapper stock in the South Atlantic immediately upon implementation; (2) to rebuild the stock so it may ultimately produce optimum yield (OY); and (3) to minimize to the extent practicable adverse social and economic effects expected from the first two items"--Abstract (p. iv).