Notices and Rules
Descending Device and Venting Tool for the Direct Enhancement of Snapper Conservation and the Economy through Novel Devices Act of 2020 (DESCEND Act)
This action requires commercial and recreational fishermen to possess a venting tool or descending device that is rigged and ready for use when fishing for reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico Exclusive Economic Zone.
Effective
02/14/2022
Framework Action to Implement Modification of the Gulf of Mexico Lane Snapper Catch Limits and Accountability Measures
NOAA Fisheries requests your comments on a proposed rule for lane snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. Comments are due by November 2, 2021. The proposed rule would increase the lane snapper annual catch limit from 301,000 lb whole weight to 1,028,973 lb
Published
12/23/2021
Modification of Fishing Access in Eastern Gulf of Mexico Marine Protected Areas
Modification of Fishing Access in Eastern Gulf of Mexico Marine Protected Areas
Effective
08/20/2021
Framework Action: Modification to Gray Triggerfish Catch Limits
Gulf of Mexico Gray Triggerfish
Issued
06/29/2021
Framework Amendment to Modify Multi-Day Trip Possession Limits for Federal Permitted Charter/Headboat Vessels in the Gulf of Mexico
Generic Abbreviated Framework: Modification of For-hire Multi-day Trip Possession Limits
Effective
03/26/2021
Gulf of Mexico Modifications to Charter Vessel and Headboat Reporting Requirements
The For-Hire Electronic Reporting Amendment would modify data reporting requirements for federally permitted for-hire vessels (charter vessels and headboats) in the Gulf of Mexico to declare (hail-out) the type of trip (for-hire or other) prior to departi
Effective
01/05/2021
Amendment 51: Establish Gray Snapper Status Determination Criteria and Modify Annual Catch Limits
Gray snapper is a federally managed species caught in the Gulf of Mexico. The species is targeted inshore and offshore on natural and artificial reefs. Amendment 51 would establish overfished and overfishing definitions for the Gulf of Mexico gray snapper
Effective
12/17/2020
Amendment 9: Coral Habitat Areas Considered for Management in the Gulf of Mexico
A recommendation from the 2013 Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council workshop to reevaluate coral areas in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) warranting special protection.
Published
10/16/2020
Framework Action: Replacement of Historical Captain Permits with Standard Federal Charter/Headboat Permits
This amendment and rule will provide an opportunity for eligible individuals to replace historical captain permits in the reef fish and coastal migratory pelagic fisheries with standard federal for-hire permits. The rule would apply to ind
Effective
05/21/2020
Framework Action: Greater Amberjack Commercial Trip Limits
This framework and rule would reduce the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) greater amberjack commercial trip limit from 1,500 lbs gutted weight (gw) to 1,000 lbs gw with a step-down to 250 lbs gw when 75 percent of the quota has been landed. The need for this action is to extend the Gulf greater amberjack commercial fishing season by constraining the harvest rate while continuing to prevent overfishing and rebuild the stock. The Framework Action was approved by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council at its June 2019 meeting.
Effective
05/14/2020