The harvest of brown shrimp in the western Gulf of Mexico is expected to be 44.2 million pounds, which is above the predicted value for the last two years yet below the historical 56-year average of 56.2 million pounds, according to NOAA’s annual forecast. The prediction covers the period from July 2017 through June 2018 […]
NOAA Fisheries Announces A Reduction in the Gulf of Mexico Vermilion Snapper Annual Catch Limit KEY MESSAGE: NOAA Fisheries announces a reduction to the annual catch limit for vermilion snapper in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf). The annual catch limit is the maximum amount of vermilion snapper that can be landed each year. NOAA […]
Do you know someone who has done great things for coastal and marine habitat conservation? The NOAA Fisheries Office of Habitat Conservation and our partner, American Fisheries Society, are seeking nominations for the 2018 Dr. Nancy Foster Habitat Conservation Award by June 22, 2018. See nomination instructions and eligibility details (Download File) for more information about the […]
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a public hearing webinar to collect comments on Reef Fish Amendment 49 – Modifications to the Sea Turtle Release Gear and Framework Procedure for the Reef Fish Fishery. The amendment considers modifying the sea turtle release requirements to allow three new approved sea turtle release […]
NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments for an Application for an Exempted Fishing Permit to Test Trap Targeting of Lionfish in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Federal Waters KEY MESSAGE: NOAA Fisheries is accepting comments on an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) from Salty Bones Fisheries. The applicant proposes to test […]
Seafood traders are now required to provide more documentation for fish and fish products they wish to sell to American consumers. As of January 1, 2018, importers have new recordkeeping requirements for proving that seafood products entering the United States are legally and sustainably caught, and truthfully represented. The new rule, known as the Seafood […]
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) closes the General category fishery for large medium and giant Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) effective 11:30 p.m. local time, Wednesday, December 6, 2017, through December 31, 2017. The base quota for the General category is 466.7 mt. To date this year, NOAA Fisheries has adjusted the General category base […]
Commercial Harvest of Gray Triggerfish in Federal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico Will Close on November 18, 2017 WHAT/WHEN/WHERE: Commercial harvest of gray triggerfish in federal waters will close at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on November 18, 2017. Commercial harvest will reopen at 12:01 a.m. (local time) on January 1, […]
Dear TBF Friends, The Office of Highly Migratory Species (NMFS), a division of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), charged with conserving and responsibly managing highly migratory fish species reversed 16 years of conservation with their approval of an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) on August 10, 2017. The permit will allow pelagic longline boats back […]
Atlantic Bluefin Tuna General Category Fishery: NMFS Transfers 156.4 mt from the Reserve Category to the General Category for 2017 The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) adjusts the General category Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) quota by transferring 156.4 mt from the Reserve category to account for overharvests of the January, June through August, and […]
