Finfish

NOAA Fisheries Southeast For-Hire Electronic Reporting Account Set-Up and Reporting

school of tuna in blue water

This is a reminder: fishermen with Federal Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic/Atlantic For-Hire charter/headboat permits are required to comply with the Southeast For-Hire Electronic Reporting program. Fishermen with these permits are required to create an account and begin reporting electronically through one of the approved reporting applications. More Information: Fishermen…

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Gulf of Mexico Individual Fishing Quota Program Reminder

red snapper

NOAA Fisheries is sending this reminder to ensure Individual Fishing Quota program (IFQ) participants are informed about new and important requirements, such as IFQ system functions and how to participate in the program. For further information, IFQ participants can contact Catch Share Support at (866) 425-7627 between 8:00 a.m. and…

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Federal Commercial Fishing Regulations are Now Available in the New Fish Rules App

school of red snapper swimming in blue water

Federal commercial fishing regulations in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic are now available on the free Fish Rules Commercial mobile app. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council have partnered with Fish Rules, LLC to create an app to host up-to-date, accurate commercial…

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The Council Asks for Recommendations on Ways to Conserve our Nation’s Waters

Sunset on the Gulf of Mexico

The President of the United States recently signed an Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.  The Executive Order aims to place the climate crisis at the forefront of the Nation’s foreign policy and national security planning. Section 216 of the Executive Order: Conserving our Nation’s Land…

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Gulf Council Seeks Applicants for its Scientific and Statistical Committees – Deadline Extended

raw Louisiana shrimp

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is seeking applicants for its Standing and Special Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSC). Current members must reapply to be considered for future membership. The Council has one standing and eight special Scientific and Statistical Committees comprised of individuals who have expertise in stock…

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Gulf Council Recommends Increasing 2021 Red Snapper Catch Limits and Calibrating Recreational Landings Beginning in 2023

red snapper

The Council chose to increase the 2021 red snapper overfishing limit (OFL) to 25,600,000 pounds whole weight, and the 2021 acceptable biological catch (ABC) to 15,400,000 pounds whole weight, as recommended by the Scientific and Statical Committee (SSC). The revised 2021 red snapper catch limits are as follows:   The…

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Commercial Hook-and-Line Harvest of King Mackerel Opens Briefly in EEZ

king mackerel swimming

WHAT/WHEN: Commercial hook-and-line harvest of king mackerel in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico Southern Zone (depicted in map below) will reopen for five days in April 2021. Commercial harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m., local time, on April 4, 2021, and close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on April 9,…

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Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Adds 14 Additional Reefs

reef fish swimming in Flower Banks; photo from NOAA

The 14 additional reefs and banks are officially part of Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS). As of March 22, 2021, FGBNMS encompasses 17 reefs and banks located approximately 80-125 miles off the coasts of Texas and Louisiana. These banks are a combination of small underwater mountains, ridges, troughs, and…

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