Key Messages:
- NOAA Fisheries is sending this reminder to ensure Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program participants are informed about new and important requirements, such as management actions, IFQ system functions, and how to participate in the program.
- For further information, IFQ participants can contact Catch Share Support at (866) 425-7627 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.
Fishery Management Updates
Currently, the Gulf Council is developing six amendments to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan (Reef Fish FMP) related to the IFQ programs. Three of the amendments respond to recent stock assessments of IFQ species; the remaining three address concerns raised in the joint review of the IFQ programs.
Stock-Assessment Related Amendments
- These amendments center on the Other Shallow-water grouper (SWG) and Deep-water grouper (DWG) complexes. Both of these complexes are subject to stock Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) - that is one ACL for both recreational and commercial limits. For each of these complexes a proportion of the ACL is designated for commercial use and a buffer is applied to set the IFQ quotas.
- Amendment 58A is considering dissolving the existing SWG share category and creating two new share categories. These categories are required because the recreational landings of the stock are not comparable - scamp and yellowmouth grouper are in the Marine Recreational Information Program’s (MRIP) Fishery Effort Survey (FES) units, while black and yellowfin grouper are in MRIP’s -Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey (MRFSS) units.
- The developmental work and distribution of shares for Amendment 58A would need to be completed before the start of a calendar year. As there is insufficient time in 2025 to make these modifications, the Council began a framework amendment to modify the SWG Complex management measures. This framework would reduce the harvest of SWG based on the SEDAR 68 stock assessment for the 2026 fishing year.
- Amendment 59 to the Reef Fish FMP would modify DWG Complex management measures based on the recent SEDAR 85 stock assessment.
IFQ Program Review Related Amendments
- Amendments 59A, 59B, and 60 to the Reef Fish FMP consider modifications to participation in the programs and redistribution of IFQ shares.
- Amendment 59A considers redefining participation by requiring a commercial reef fish permit to obtain and maintain an IFQ account. This would make the Gulf programs similar to other catch share programs nationwide.
- Amendment 59B considers adding a requirement to show landings activity in the fishery in order to maintain shares.
- Amendment 60 considers the reclamation of shares from accounts that fail to meet the above criteria and from accounts that have not been accessed or used in several years. Specifically, the amendment is considering redistributing these shares to participants as well as the shares the agency reclaimed in 2018. Amendment 60 also considers future quota increases for new (replacement) fishermen.
For more information on Council motions and upcoming meetings and public comment opportunities, visit the Gulf Council website.
Southeast Fisheries Permits Office
The Southeast Permits Office has transitioned to a voicemail-based system call center. Callers will now be prompted to leave a voicemail or email the Permits Office with their questions. This dedicated voice mail and email will be monitored during business hours to expedite responses. To leave a voicemail, call (877) 376-4877 and select option #6. Please leave a detailed message including your name, callback number, the reason you are calling, and, if applicable, your application number. If you do not have an application number, please provide your vessel's official number (state or US Coast Guard documentation number) or dealer number as an alternative identifier. All voicemails will be returned during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Alternatively, you may email your questions to nmfs.ser.permitssupport@noaa.gov. Please take precautions to protect your personal information by refraining from including any Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or Business Identifiable Information (BII) in your email. This will help ensure the security and confidentiality of your sensitive data.
For more information, visit Southeast Fisheries Permits.
Using the Catch Shares Online System
Accidental Allocation Transfers
When transferring allocation, please be sure to enter the User ID or Vessel Number in the search bar for the transferee and to confirm all other information before submitting. This effort will help avoid an accidental allocation transfer to an incorrect account/vessel with a similar name. Allocation transfers are one-step processes and are completed upon submission. NOAA Fisheries cannot reverse an incorrect allocation transfer without the consent of both parties. Instead, NOAA Fisheries encourages the parties to contact each other and make the corrections themselves.
Account Security
Account PINs:
- Used for logging in to your individual shareholder, vessel, or dealer account.
- Shareholder account PIN also provides access to any associated vessel accounts.
- Expires every six months and must be at least one character different from the last 3 PINs used.
- Should never be shared with anyone not associated with the account.
Vessel Signature PINs:
- Is ONLY used to verify the landing transaction entered by the dealer.
- Part of the two step landing transaction confirmation: 1.) The dealer enters the landing information. 2.) The shareholder or his/her delegate (e.g., captain) confirms the landing transaction by entering the vessel signature PIN and clicking the “Final Confirmation” button.
- Never expires and can be changed by the shareholder under the “Information” tab by clicking “Update Account” and highlighting the row with the vessel name.
Important Messages
On the Catch Shares Online System home page, there is a message board entitled “Important Messages” where Catch Shares Program staff can post announcements and reminders for participants. These messages can be viewed both before and after logging into their account. Some examples of these announcements include program updates, Catch Shares Online System outages, customer support information, and other helpful resources.
System Outages
The Catch Shares Online System will be down for regularly scheduled system maintenance every Wednesday from 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Be sure to plan your transactions accordingly. If you are experiencing issues loading the website after an outage, please reset your internet browser.
Sign Up For Text Message Alerts - Find Out About Immediate Openings and Closures
NOAA's Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery-related alerts via text message (SMS). Standard message & data rates may apply. You may opt out at any time.
Text alerts you may receive include:
- Immediate fishery openings and closures.
- Any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly.
Sign up for one or more of the following groups:
- Gulf of America Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
- Gulf of America Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text GULFCOMMFISH to 888777
- South Atlantic Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text SATLRECFISH to 888777
- South Atlantic Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text SATLCOMMFISH to 888777
- Caribbean Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text CARIBFISH to 888777
Other contacts:
Allison Garrett, Communications Specialist (727) 551-5750
Sean Meehan, Recreational Fishing Coordinator (737) 385-5202
