Amendment 19: Shrimp Permit Moratorium

This action addresses the expiration of the federal shrimp permit moratorium in the Gulf of America (Gulf). The moratorium, first established for 10 years through Amendment 13 to the Shrimp FMP (GMFMC 2005) and then renewed for another 10 years through Amendment 17A to the Shrimp FMP (GMFMC 2016), is set to expire on October 26, 2026. The moratorium was implemented to create stability and prevent overcapacity in the Gulf shrimp fishery. Amendment 19 would extend the moratorium for 10 years, to expire on October 26, 2036, for commercial shrimp vessels in the Gulf.