Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council

NOAA: Turtle Excluder Device Required for all Skimmer Trawl Vessels 40 Feet and Greater

turtle excluder device with turtle escaping

In an effort to strengthen sea turtle conservation efforts, NOAA Fisheries published a final rule to require all skimmer trawl vessels 40 feet and greater in length to use turtle excluder devices (TEDs) in their nets.  A TED is a device that allows sea turtles to escape from trawl nets. …

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Fishing For Lane Snapper In Louisiana and Federal Waters To Close Dec. 13

fishing rods on a boat

The recreational and commercial seasons for lane snapper in Louisiana waters will close at 12:01 a.m. on December 13, 2019, and will remain closed until January 1, 2019. The decision was made by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Jack Montoucet, following notification by NOAA Fisheries that the Federal…

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Reminder Regarding the Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Programs

red snapper

KEY MESSAGE: NOAA Fisheries is sending an end-of-year reminder to ensure IFQ participants are informed about end of year restrictions as well as subsequent start of year information. We are also providing additional information on the IFQ system functions and requirements to ensure participants clearly understand how to participate in…

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Commercial Harvest of King Mackerel in EEZ Western Zone Closes November 21

king mackerel swimming

Commercial harvest of king mackerel in federal waters of the Western Zone will close at 12:00 pm, central time, on November 21, 2019.  Commercial harvest will reopen at 12:01 am, central time, on July 1, 2020. WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING: The 2019/2020 commercial Western Zone quota is 1,096,000 pounds.  Updated…

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Gulf Council Asks for Information on Vermilion Snapper

Fresh vermilion snapper on ice

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council would like to gain a better understanding of vermilion snapper (a.k.a. beeliner) in the Gulf of Mexico. It is seeking information from anglers and divers about trends or “strange things” that scientists and managers may need to know. A scientific stock assessment of…

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Gulf Council Recommends Modifying For-Hire Multi-Day Trip Possession Limit

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action on a framework action that considers modifying federal for-hire multi-day trip possession limits. The Council recommends allowing anglers on federal for-hire fishing trips that last longer than 30 hours to possess two daily bag or vessel limits at any time…

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Continuation of Reductions in Gulf of Mexico Red Grouper Catch Levels

fishing rods on a boat

KEY MESSAGE: NOAA Fisheries has published a final rule that continues reductions in the Gulf of Mexico red grouper commercial and recreational annual catch limits and associated annual catch targets put in place through an emergency action requested by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. The emergency action reduced…

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Gulf Council Asks for Information on King Mackerel

king mackerel swimming

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council would like to gain a better understanding of king mackerel in the Gulf of Mexico. It is seeking information from anglers and divers about trends or “strange things” that scientists and managers may need to know. A scientific stock assessment of king mackerel…

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August 2019 Council Update

reef fish swimming

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met in New Orleans, Louisiana, August 12-15, 2019.  The Council re-elected Dr. Tom Frazer as its Chair and Dale Diaz as its Vice Chair.  The following is a brief summary of the Council’s actions:   Recreational For-Hire Red Snapper Annual Catch Target Buffer…

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Recommended Reduced Annual Catch Target Buffer for Federal For-Hire Red Snapper

fishing rods on a boat

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action to reduce the buffer between the annual catch limit and the annual catch target for federal for-hire red snapper to 9%. The buffer is in place to account for management uncertainty. Seasons are set based on the annual catch target…

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