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…
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…
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…
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) met in San Antonio, Texas from August 23-26. The meeting began with the induction of re-appointed members Susan Boggs, Jonathan ‘JD’ Dugas, and Dale A. Diaz. Bob Gill and Billy Broussard were inducted as new members. These members are appointed to serve on…
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has released an updated survey to gather public input on spotted seatrout management options. The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) directed the LDWF to conduct another survey on spotted seatrout management options prior to its October 2021 meeting. This survey is…
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will host a hybrid virtual and in-person meeting August 23-26, 2021. The meeting agenda and briefing materials are available on the Council meeting webpage. Both in-person and virtual attendees are welcome to join the meeting. The public will have two opportunities to…
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) met in Key West, Florida from June 21-25, 2021. Red Grouper The Council took final action on Reef Fish Amendment 53: Red Grouper Allocations and Annual Catch Levels and Targets. The most recent red grouper stock assessment (SEDAR 61) included information through 2017…
NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule for gray triggerfish in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf). This rule increases the gray triggerfish catch limits for the commercial and recreational sectors. When Rule Will Take Effect: Regulations will be effective July 29, 2021. What This Means: The gray triggerfish total catch limit…
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action on Reef Fish Amendment 53: Red Grouper Allocations and Annual Catch Levels and Targets. The most recent red grouper stock assessment (SEDAR 61) included information through 2017 and showed that the biomass of spawning red grouper is lower than it…
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the 2021 spring inshore shrimp season will close at official sunset on June 28, 2021, in the Biloxi Marsh area of Shrimp Management Zone 1. The Biloxi Marsh area is defined below: From a point at the intersection of the eastern shore…