Gulf Fishers Gear Up for Shrimp and Shark Rule Tweaks
Published Date: 3/10/2026
Notice
Summary
The Gulf Fishery Management Council is holding a 3-day meeting from April 7-9, 2026, to discuss important changes affecting fishing rules in the Gulf of Mexico. Fishermen, seafood businesses, and conservation groups should pay attention because new rules on shrimp, sharks, and data collection could impact fishing seasons and practices. You can join in person in Mobile, Alabama, or tune in online to stay informed and have your say.
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 8 mixed.
Red Grouper IFQ program revisions
The Council will consider Reef Fish Amendment 63 (modifications to the Gulf red grouper Individual Fishing Quota program) as a public hearing draft and an Abbreviated Framework Action on a red grouper IFQ set-aside quota holdback at the April 8-9, 2026 meeting. These actions would affect IFQ holders and commercial red grouper allocations in the Gulf.
Shrimp rules and stock reviews
The Council will review SEDAR 87 Gulf penaeid shrimp stock assessments, discuss a Texas Closure, shrimp bycatch methodology, and an Early Adopter Program during its April 7-9, 2026 meeting in Mobile, AL. These reviews and potential actions could affect shrimp fishing seasons and fishing practices for shrimp fishermen and seafood businesses.
Proposed shark management measures
The Migratory Species Committee will review a Proposed Rule on commercial and recreational shark management measures at the April 7-9, 2026 Council meeting. Changes to shark rules could affect commercial shark fishermen and recreational anglers in the Gulf of Mexico.
Changes to recreational data collection
The Data Collection Committee will consider alternative methods for estimating recreational landings for rarely encountered species and the Gulf SEDAR Committee will review MRIP Fishing Effort Survey pilot results during the April 7-9, 2026 meeting. Changes to data collection and survey methods could affect how recreational catches are estimated and therefore influence management decisions like seasons and quotas.
Gulf lane snapper catch limit changes
The Reef Fish Committee will review a Final Action item: Abbreviated Framework Action to modify Gulf lane snapper catch limits at the April 8, 2026 session. If adopted, these modifications would change catch limits that affect commercial and recreational snapper fishing in the Gulf.
Private recreational red snapper rules
The Reef Fish Committee will review draft options to modify red snapper private recreational accountability measures during the April 8, 2026 meeting. Changes to accountability measures would affect private recreational anglers and how the fishery is managed.
Delegation of for-hire red snapper management
The Committee will receive a presentation on delegating federal for-hire red snapper management to Gulf States at the April 8, 2026 meeting. Delegation would change who manages the federal for-hire red snapper fishery and could affect for-hire operators and their customers.
2026 recreational season decisions
The Council will discuss the 2026 gag grouper and greater amberjack recreational fishing seasons and the 2026 federal for-hire red snapper fishing season during the April 8-9, 2026 meeting. These discussions could determine season dates and availability for recreational anglers and for-hire operators in 2026.
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