Gulf Council Meets on Shrimp and Bycatch Rules
Published Date: 7/16/2026
Notice
Summary
The Gulf Fishery Management Council is holding a two-day meeting on July 21-22, 2026, to discuss shrimp and fish catch rules that affect fishermen and seafood businesses in the Gulf. They’ll review new ways to estimate bycatch and set shrimp permit limits, which could impact fishing practices and permits. The meeting is in Tampa, FL, with an option to join online, and public comments are welcome.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
Shrimp Permit Threshold Review
On July 21, 2026 (9 a.m.–5 p.m. EDT) the SSC will review the "Minimum Threshold Number of Federal Gulf Shrimp Permits." Any change to that threshold could affect who holds federal Gulf shrimp permits and how many vessels are permitted to fish.
Shrimp Trawl Bycatch Methods Reviewed
If you run a shrimp or finfish business in the Gulf, the Gulf Council SSC will review the "Estimation of Shrimp Trawl Bycatch Methodology" and "Gray Triggerfish Bycatch Estimation" on July 21, 2026 (9 a.m.–5 p.m. EDT). These reviews could lead to new ways to measure bycatch that change how shrimp trawlers operate.
Multiple Species Stock Reviews
On July 22, 2026 (9 a.m.–5 p.m. EDT) the SSC will review a Fisheries Integrated Modeling System peer-review, Gulf king mackerel landings and length composition data from Mexico, Gulf tilefish data triage and stock evaluation options, and the Greater Amberjack count and planned SEDAR assessment for Gulf greater amberjack. These reviews could inform future catch limits or management measures for those species.
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