What/When/Where: Recreational harvest of red grouper in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) will close at 12:01 am, local time, on August 30, 2022. Red grouper recreational harvest will be closed until the 2023 fishing year begins on January 1, 2023. Why The Red Grouper Closure Is Happening: Landings…
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission passed a notice of intent at their meeting today to modify swordfish regulations. The proposed rule would adjust swordfish possession limits to be 1 per angler or 4 per vessel on recreational trips, 1 per angler or 6 per vessel on charter vessels, and 1…
Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission passed a notice of intent at their meeting today to remove the shark closed season for recreational and commercial fishermen. Currently, shark season is closed for 3 months from April to June for recreational and commercial possession. The proposed regulations would remove the closed season….
Key Message: NOAA Fisheries announces the final rule for a framework amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico. This framework amendment and final rule will revise the overfishing limit, acceptable biological catch, annual catch limits, and annual catch targets for Gulf of Mexico…
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action on a Framework Action to ensure that for-hire trips are not delayed or canceled in the event of vessel monitoring system equipment failures. As of March 1, 2022, vessels with charter vessel/headboat permits for reef fish and/or coastal migratory pelagics must…
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action on Framework Amendment 11 to Modify Gulf group king mackerel Overfishing Limit (OFL), Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) and Annual Catch Limits (ACL). The recent SEDAR 38 Update stock assessment determined that Gulf king mackerel is not overfished and is not experiencing…
NOAA Fisheries approved new criteria to inform Gulf of Mexico reef fish and red drum management. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council recommended these criteria changes for two amendments, Amendment 48 to the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico and Amendment 5 to the…
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) met in Gulf Shores, Alabama April 4-7, 2022. The Council made preliminary appointments to its Coral, Data Collection, and Spiny Lobster Advisory Panels. Final appointments will be made during the June Council meeting after fishery violation background checks are completed. The Council also named the…
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action on a Framework Action to convert three Reef Fish and three Coastal Migratory Pelagic Historical Captain permits to standard federal for-hire Charter/Headboat Permits. A previous Council action allowed the replacement of valid or renewable Gulf historical captain coastal migratory pelagics…
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ new Commercial License fee structure went into effect on November 15, 2021. Commercial fishermen are reminded that most of their licenses can be renewed online by going to wlf.louisiana.gov and clicking on the “Buy A License” link at the top of the webpage. However, some licenses…