Fishery Management

NOAA: The GOM VMS Requirement for Charter/Headboat Vessels is 3-1-22

Young man on charter boat holding bent rod with fish on line

Key Message: The Southeast For-Hire Integrated Electronic Reporting (SEFHIER) program vessel monitoring system (VMS) requirement will become effective March 1, 2022. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council selected the VMS requirement to enhance recreational data and catch limit tracking in the Gulf of Mexico for improved fisheries management. When:…

January 2022 Council Update

Gulf of Mexico with shrimp boats in far distance

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met virtually from January 24-27, 2022. The Council began by electing Dr. Greg Stunz as Vice Chair. The Council also revised and adopted Committee assignments through August 2022. The following is a brief overview of what was accomplished during the meeting: Vermilion Snapper After hearing…

Gulf Council Recommends Increasing Vermilion Snapper Catch Limits

The Council took final action on a Framework Action to increase the vermilion snapper overfishing limit, acceptable biological catch, and annual catch limit. The most recent stock assessment (SEDAR 67, 2020) determined that the stock is not overfished nor experiencing overfishing. In addition to incorporating new recreational catch and effort…

Louisiana Shrimp Season to Close January 24 in Portions of State Inshore and Outside Waters

Map showing shrimp closure lines off coast of Louisiana

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the 2021 fall shrimp season will close at official sunset on Monday, January 24, in the following portions of the state inside and outside waters: Lake Pontchartrain, Chef Menteur and Rigolets Passes, Lake Borgne, Mississippi Sound, Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO), a…

Venting Tools or Descending Devices Required for All Fishermen Targeting Reef Fish

photo of red snapper with barotrauma on descending device

The Direct Enhancement of Snapper Conservation and the Economy through Novel Devices Act of 2020 (DESCEND Act of 2020) was signed into law on January 13, 2021. The new Act will require commercial, for-hire, and private recreational vessels to have a venting tool or descending device rigged and ready to…

October 2021 Council Meeting Summary

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) met in Orange Beach, Alabama October 25-28, 2021. The meeting began with the Council populating its Council Committees through August 2022. The following is a brief summary of the Council’s actions: Cobia The Council took final action on Coastal Migratory Pelagic Amendment…

Gulf Council Recommends Increasing Red Grouper Catch Limits

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action on a Framework Action to increase the red grouper overfishing limit (OFL), acceptable biological catch (ABC), annual catch limits (ACLs) and annual catch targets (ACTs). Increases to catch levels from the Framework Action are contingent on approval and implementation of…

Gulf Council Recommends New Cobia Catch Limits and Management Measures

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action on Coastal Migratory Pelagic Amendment 32: Modifications to the Gulf of Mexico Migratory Group Cobia Catch Limits, Possession Limits, Size Limits, and Framework Procedure. Cobia is jointly managed with the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and all of the selected…

LWFC Adopts Notice of Intent to Add Coastal Buffer Zones to Gulf Menhaden Harvest Regulations

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission has adopted a Notice of Intent (NOI) to add coastal buffer zones to Gulf menhaden harvest regulations. The proposed changes would modify the existing rule regarding where in Louisiana waters commercial harvest of gulf menhaden may occur. The proposed changes would implement a coastwide…

Commercial and Recreational Closure of Mid-water Snapper in Federal Waters

What/When: Commercial and recreational harvest of mid-water snapper in Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) federal waters will close at 12:01 am, local time, on September 18, 2021. The mid-water snapper complex consists of blackfin snapper, queen snapper, silk snapper and wenchmen. Commercial and recreational harvest will reopen January 1, 2022. Why This…

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