Want to talk fishing? Connect with us!
Sean Meehan (Sean/Meehan@noaa.gov) is NOAA Fisheries' Southeast Recreational Coordinator and he wants to hear from you!
Please reach out if you have questions, want to share concerns or just talk fishing. Sean has been with NOAA for more than 20 years. He is an avid fisherman and conservationist.
Whether you want to know what fishery is open/closed, how to apply for/renew a permit or when and how you can attend the next Council meeting - we can help either though the "More Information" (blue box) located at the top right of your screen or by reaching out to Sean. Our goal is "one click or call."
Fishing in the Southeast
The southeastern United States is home to the largest concentration of saltwater recreational fishing in America. Recreational fishing in the Southeast generates more than $15 billion in annual sales for more than 4.5 million fishermen on more than 36 million fishing trips each year.
NOAA Fisheries Southeast manages fisheries in three areas: Caribbean, Gulf of America*, and South Atlantic. The three Fishery Management Councils (Caribbean, Gulf, and the South Atlantic) recommend regulatory actions for their region to NOAA Fisheries in order to manage federal waters from North Carolina through Texas, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Council websites feature the dates, times and locations for the Fishery Management Council meetings. Join us and get involved.
With the fishery management councils for each region, NOAA Fisheries uses the best scientific information available to manage and conserve marine fishery resources. Our main objective is to maintain fish stocks important to commercial, recreational, and subsistence fisheries for long-term economic and social benefits to the nation.
Current Fishing Regulations—Gulf of America
Commercial and recreational seasonal closures and current status of federally managed Gulf of America species. Species not listed do not currently have seasonal closures or quotas. For regulations, openings and closures visit us here.
Current Fishing Regulations—South Atlantic
All official regulations for fishing in federal waters of the South Atlantic is found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 50 CFR 622. For regulations, openings and closures visit us here.
Current Fishing Regulations - U.S. Caribbean
All official regulations for fishing in U.S. Caribbean federal waters are found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 50 CFR 622. For regulations, openings and closures visit us here.
Southeast Fisheries Permits
The Southeast Regional Office issues federal permits for recreational and commercial fishing in the South Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of America, and Caribbean Sea.
*Executive Order 14172, “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness” (Jan. 20, 2025), directs that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America. On August 7, 2025, NOAA Fisheries and the National Ocean Service amended regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations to reflect the renaming. The name change did not result in any changes to, and had no effect on the applicability or enforceability of, any existing regulations. This website continues to use “Gulf of Mexico” when quoting statutes or previously published materials.
