Tagged as: Gulf Council

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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June Council Update

fishing rods on a boat

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met last week in Destin, Florida. The following is a brief overview of what was accomplished:  Data Collection Advisory Panel The Council populated its Data Collection Advisory Panel (AP) and created its charge. The charge is “To review and evaluate data collection and…

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Gulf Council recommends a new commercial trip limit for greater amberjack

greater amberjack

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action on a Framework amendment that considers reducing the commercial trip limit for greater amberjack. The Council decided to reduce the trip limit to 1000 pounds gutted weight. When 75% of the annual catch target is met, the trip limit will…

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Federal Waters off Texas Close to Shrimping May 15, 2019

Gulf of Mexico with shrimp boats in far distance

NOAA Fisheries announces federal waters from 9 to 200 nautical miles off Texas will close to shrimp trawling 30 minutes after official sunset, local time, on May 15, 2019, corresponding to the time Texas closes its state waters to shrimp trawling. Federal waters off Texas are west of the line…

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Gulf Council Suggests Modifications to Red Grouper ACL and ACT

fishing rods on a boat

At its meeting this week in Biloxi, Mississippi, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took final action to modify the red grouper annual catch limits and annual catch targets. The Council chose to set the red grouper annual catch limits and annual catch targets based on landings from the…

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Gulf Council Suggests Modifications to the Shrimp Effort Threshold

shrimp boat in Gulf of Mexico at dusk

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met in Biloxi, Mississippi, and took final action on Shrimp Amendment 18. The Council selected to reduce the allowable shrimp effort to 60% below the baseline years and revise the framework procedure to allow future effort reduction goals through the standard open framework…

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