Recreational and commercial anglers won a small battle, but not the war, when the National Marine Fisheries Service declined to implement interim grouper rules proposed by the South Atlantic Marine Fisheries Council last week.



According to a letter dated Dec. 18, and written by NMFC Regional Administrator Roy Crabtree, the postponement is due largely to lack of response and/or compliance by the coastal states that would be affected.



Apparently, the NMFC sent letters to the individual state requesting "coastal zone management consistency determinations" within 30 days.

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