Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council

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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NOAA Fisheries Continues Weekly For-Hire Reporting Webinars

school of tuna in blue water

NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Regional Office will host weekly question and answer webinar sessions to assist participants with program information and compliance. WHEN: The webinars are scheduled for Tuesday evenings starting at 6:30 PM, EST, from March 2 to March 30, 2021. The webinar will continue each Tuesday evening for as…

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The DESCEND Act of 2020 will go into effect in January 2022

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 and recreational vessels (including for-hire) to have a venting tool or descending device rigged and ready to…

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January 2021 Gulf Council Meeting Summary

red snapper

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met virtually from January 25 – 28, 2021. During the meeting, the Council presented Sergeant Scott Dupre of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries with the 2019 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award. The Council also heard a presentation on Deepwater Horizon Open…

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Commercial Gillnet Harvest of King Mackerel in Southern Zone-Federal Waters Closed

king mackerel swimming

Commercial gillnet harvest of king mackerel in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico Southern Zone closed at 12 p.m., local time, on January 28, 2021. Commercial king mackerel gillnet harvest will reopen at 6:00 a.m., (local time) on January 18, 2022. The Gulf of Mexico Southern Zone includes federal waters…

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Gulf Council Asks for Information on Gag Grouper

gag group La Fisheries Forward

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council would like to gain a better understanding of gag grouper in the Gulf of Mexico. It is seeking information from anglers and divers about what they have observed, including any “strange things” that scientists and managers may need to know. Scientists are currently…

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November/December Council Update

large red snapper being held by La Sea Grant and LDWF employees

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met virtually on November 30 and December 1, 2020. The meeting began with a presentation from the NOAA Office of Atlantic Highly Migratory Species on its Draft Amendment 14, which considers creating a framework for establishing acceptable biological catch and annual catch limits…

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New Gulf For-Hire Electronic Reporting Requirements Begin January 2021

Educational materials are on their way to all permit holders and are available online  NOAA Fisheries and the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils are implementing the new Southeast For-Hire Electronic Reporting Program in January 2021. The intent of the program is to provide more timely catch information…

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Final Rule Revises the Annual Catch Limit for Gray Snapper in the Gulf

fishing rods on a boat

NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule for gray snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. This rule reduces the annual catch limit for Gulf of Mexico gray snapper.  WHEN WILL THE RULE TAKE EFFECT: The rule becomes effective on December 17, 2020.  WHAT THIS MEANS: The final rule reduces the annual catch…

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