🎣2024-2025 Closure of King Mackerel Gillnet Fishery Regulations
NMFS closes commercial harvest of king mackerel using run- around gillnet gear in the southern zone of the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) exclusive economic zone (EEZ). NMFS has determined that the commercial landings of king mackerel harvested by run-around gillnet gear in the southern zone have reached the annual catch limit (ACL). Therefore, NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) and closes the southern zone to commercial king mackerel fishing using run-around gillnet gear in the Gulf EEZ. This closure is necessary to protect the Gulf king mackerel resource.
Learn More🎣North Pacific Fishery Management Council Public Meeting Notice
The Center of Independent Experts (CIE) review of the Eastern Bering Sea walleye pollock stock assessment will be held in May.
Learn More🐋Proposed Permit for Incidental Take of Endangered Marine Mammals
NMFS is proposing to issue a permit to authorize the incidental, but not intentional, take of specific Endangered Species Act (ESA)-listed marine mammal species or stocks under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), in the Category II California (CA) thresher shark/swordfish drift gillnet (>=14 inch (in) mesh) fishery and the corresponding high seas component of the fishery as defined on the MMPA List of Fisheries as the Pacific highly migratory species drift gillnet fishery (hereinafter, collectively referred to as the CA thresher shark/swordfish drift gillnet (>=14 in mesh)/Pacific highly migratory species drift gillnet fishery.
Learn More🎣Inseason Adjustments for Pacific Coast Groundfish Management 2025
This final rule announces routine inseason adjustments to management measures in commercial groundfish fisheries. This action is intended to allow commercial fishing vessels to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks.
Learn More🎣Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Public Meeting Notice
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a one day in-person meeting of its Ad Hoc Red Snapper Grouper/ Tilefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Programs Advisory Panel (AP).
Learn More🎣New Regulations for South Atlantic Red Snapper Fishing Proposed
NMFS proposes regulations to implement Amendment 59 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic (Snapper-Grouper FMP) (Amendment 59). If approved, Amendment 59 and this proposed rule would, for South Atlantic red snapper: revise the fishing mortality (F) at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) proxy for determining overfishing, acceptable biological catch (ABC), sector annual catch limits (ACLs), fishing year, sector fishing season start dates, recreational fishing season structure, commercial trip limits, and establish an annual experimental studies program. Additionally, Amendment 59 and this proposed rule would establish a snapper-grouper discard reduction season in South Atlantic Federal waters. This action is intended to end and prevent overfishing of red snapper while reducing dead discards and providing additional fishing opportunities.
Learn More🎣Permit Application for Deep-Set Buoy Gear Opens February 2025
NMFS announces the opening of the permit application period for initial issuance of limited entry deep-set buoy gear permits under qualification tier 9. Authorized through implementation of Amendment 6 to the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species (HMS) and its implementing regulations, tier 9 was established as the final tier in a ranking system for issuance of limited entry deep-set buoy gear permits. Tier 9 permits for deep-set buoy gear will be available through the National Permits System.
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