Category Archives: Hot Topics

REVISED Reminder: Gulf of Mexico Gray Triggerfish and Greater Amberjack Recreational Fishing Seasons Re-Open on August 1, 2018

FB18-052 FISHERY BULLETIN ISSUE DATE: July 30, 2018 CONTACT: Susan Gerhart, (727) 824-5305, Susan.Gerhart@noaa.gov   KEY MESSAGE: NOAA Fisheries reminds recreational fisherman that the Gulf of Mexico gray triggerfish and greater amberjack recreational fishing seasons re-open on August 1, 2018, at 12:01 a.m., local time.   For Gray Triggerfish: The recreational fixed closed seasons are…

Gulf Council to Hold Webinar Public Hearing for Spiny Lobster Amendment 13

Meeting Notice July 20, 2018   The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a public hearing via webinar to collect public comments on Amendment 13 – Modifications to the Spiny Lobster Gear Requirements and Cooperative Management Procedures. The Amendment considers aligning federal regulations in the EEZ off Florida with those of the state…

Gulf Council’s Standing, Reef Fish, Mackerel and Shrimp SSC to Meet

Meeting Notice July 19, 2018   The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a one day meeting of its Standing, Reef Fish, Mackerel and Shrimp Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSC). The meeting will convene on Thursday, August 2, 2018,  from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST, at the Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore Hotel, located at…

Summer 2018 Edition of Gulf Fishery News Now Available

For Immediate Release

July 12, 2017

Read the latest edition of Gulf Fishery News!

Downloadable PDF

NOAA Fisheries Releases Revised MRIP Recreational Catch and Effort Estimates

Today, NOAA Fisheries released revised Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) catch and effort estimates (1981-2017) as part of its recent transition from the Coastal Household Telephone Survey (CHTS) to the new, mail-based Fishing Effort Survey (FES). The agency also released preliminary estimates based on the FES for 2018 wave 1 (Jan. – Feb.). The release…

Gulf Shrimp Fishery to Re-Open Off Texas on July 15, 2018

FB18-048 FISHERY BULLETIN ISSUE DATE: July 9 2018 CONTACT: Susan Gerhart, 727-551-5602, Susan.Gerhart@noaa.gov Gulf Shrimp Fishery to Re-Open Off Texas on July 15, 2018 WHAT/WHEN: NOAA Fisheries announces federal waters from 9 to 200 nautical miles off Texas will open to shrimp trawling beginning 30 minutes after official sunset, local time, on July 15, 2018,…

Commerce Department Announces Council Appointments

The U.S. Commerce Department today announced the appointment of 30 members to the eight regional fishery management councils that partner with NOAA Fisheries to manage ocean fish stocks. Twenty-nine of the new and reappointed council members will serve three-year terms from August 11, 2018 through August 10, 2021. One appointed member is filling an at-large seat recently…

Final Rule Increases Spiny Lobster Catch Levels and Prohibits Recreational Trapping in the South Atlantic

KEY MESSAGE: NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule for Regulatory Amendment 4 to the Fishery Management Plan for Spiny Lobster in the Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic (Regulatory Amendment 4). Regulatory Amendment 4 increases the catch limit for spiny lobster based on updated landings information and revised scientific recommendations; and prohibits the use…

June Council Update

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met in Key West, Florida, June 18-21, 2018. The following is a brief summary of the Council’s actions:   Coral and Habitat After hearing a summary of the comments received during public hearings and listening to public testimony, the Council took final action on Coral Amendment 9. The…

Final Rule to Modify Gulf of Mexico Mutton Snapper and Gag Management Measures

FB18-044 FISHERY BULLETIN ISSUE DATE: June 22, 2018 CONTACT: Rich Malinowski, 727-824-5305, Rich.Malinowski@noaa.gov   KEY MESSAGE: NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule modifying commercial and recreational mutton snapper and commercial gag management measures in the Gulf of Mexico. The rule will: Modify the annual catch limit for mutton snapper Remove the annual catch target Decrease the…