Gulf King Mackerel Gillnet Season Shut Down Early
Published Date: 3/20/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting March 20, 2025, commercial fishers using run-around gillnets in the southern Gulf of Mexico must stop catching king mackerel because the yearly catch limit has been hit. This closure will last until January 20, 2026, helping protect king mackerel populations. If you fish commercially with this gear in that area, plan for this downtime and adjust your fishing plans accordingly.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Run-around Gillnet King Mackerel Closure
Starting at 12 p.m. local time on March 20, 2025, commercial fishing for king mackerel using run-around gillnet gear in the Gulf of Mexico southern zone is closed because the run-around gillnet commercial quota (671,328 pounds) for the 2024-2025 fishing year was reached. The closure lasts until 6 a.m. local time on January 20, 2026.
Prohibition on Buying or Selling Gillnet-Caught Fish
During the closure (12 p.m. local time March 20, 2025 to 6 a.m. local time January 20, 2026), Gulf king mackerel harvested with run-around gillnet gear in the southern zone may not be purchased or sold. The rule allows an exception for fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to the closure and are held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.
Landing-and-Sale Deadline for Gillnet Vessels
Vessels with a Federal commercial permit to harvest Gulf king mackerel using run-around gillnet gear in the southern zone must have landed and bartered, traded, or sold that king mackerel prior to 12 p.m. local time on March 20, 2025.
Hook-and-Line Fishing and Recreational Retention Allowed
The closure only applies to run-around gillnet gear. Persons on vessels using hook-and-line gear with a Federal commercial permit for Gulf king mackerel may continue to fish for and retain king mackerel in the southern zone unless the hook-and-line commercial quota is met. Also, if the recreational sector is open, a person on a vessel with a valid Federal commercial gillnet permit may retain king mackerel under recreational bag and possession limits.
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Key Dates
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