Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council

June 2021 Council Meeting Summary

Gray triggerfish swimming along sea bottom

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…

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Gray Triggerfish Catch Limits Increase in the Gulf of Mexico

gray triggerfish

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…

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Gulf Council Recommends New Red Grouper Allocations and Catch Limits

red grouper swimming along sea bottom

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…

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Changes to the Cellular Electronic Logbook Program for GOM Shrimp Permit Holders

shrimp boat

NOAA Fisheries is working to improve the quality of information available for the Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery. This bulletin provides federal shrimp permit holders with an overview of the new changes occurring with the Cellular Electronic Logbook Program. Having appropriate and current data enables the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management…

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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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