Gulf Council Suggests Modifications to the Shrimp Effort Threshold

For Immediate Release
April 4, 2019

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 documentation process.

Analysis shows that the effort reduction threshold, which currently requires that shrimp effort in the area monitored for juvenile red snapper be 67% below the effort in the baseline years of 2001-2003, can be reduced to 60% without affecting the rebuilding of the red snapper stock.

These suggested shrimp management changes will be transmitted to the Secretary of Commerce for approval and implementation.