Reef Fish

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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Greater Amberjack Management Listening Sessions

saltwater fish caught on charter trip hanging on sign

Greater Amberjack is an important recreational and commercial fish species in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic regions. To address management and stakeholder concerns about the Greater Amberjack fisheries in both regions, Congress authorized funding of $10 million for a multi-year Greater Amberjack Research Program to be implemented through…

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October Gulf Council Update

red snapper

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met virtually on October 26-28, 2020. The Council began by populating its Council Committee Roster for October 2020 – August 2021. The meeting agenda was modified to allow Council members, fishermen, and the broader stakeholder community time to prepare for the anticipated landfall…

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NOAA Fisheries Announces a New and Improved Catch Shares Online System

gray triggerfish

NOAA Fisheries is currently developing an updated Catch Shares Online System. The new system will be hosted in a cloud application that should decrease the unexpected down-times in the future. As development of the new Catch Shares Online System is underway, NOAA Fisheries will be looking for volunteers, both shareholder…

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Gulf Council Asks for Recommendations on Ways to Reduce Burdens on Domestic Fishing

school of red snapper swimming in blue water

The President of the United States recently signed an Executive Order on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth. The Executive Order aims to improve the competitiveness of our domestic seafood industry, put more Americans to work, and place more sustainably sourced and safe-to-eat seafood products on our families’ tables….

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June 2020 Council Update

hooks on a basket

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met virtually June 15 – 18, 2020.  The following is a brief overview of what was accomplished. Fishing Access and Possession Allowances in Madison-Swanson and Steamboat Lumps Marine Protected Areas The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action on a document…

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Gulf Council Asks for Information on Greater Amberjack

saltwater fish caught on charter trip hanging on sign

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council would like to gain a better understanding of greater amberjack 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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Modifications to the Commercial Greater Amberjack Trip Limit and Boundary for Reef Fish Management

greater amberjack

NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule modifying the greater amberjack commercial trip limit in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) and adjusting the state/federal boundary of several areas for reef fish management. WHEN THIS RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT: Regulations will be effective May 14, 2020. WHAT THIS MEANS: The greater amberjack…

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2020 Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Recreational For-Hire Season Announced

WHAT/WHEN: The 2020 red snapper fishing season for vessels with federal for-hire reef fish permits is 62 days in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf). The season for federally permitted for-hire vessels will begin at 12:01 a.m., local time, on June 1, 2020, and will close at 12:01…

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