Gulf Shrimp Permits Frozen Longer: Overfishing Check
Published Date: 8/25/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
NMFS issues this proposed rule and seeks public comment on a management measure proposed in Amendment 19 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf (Shrimp FMP) and this proposed rule. If implemented by NMFS, Amendment 19 and this proposed rule would extend the moratorium on the issuance of new commercial shrimp permits in the Gulf of America (Gulf). NMFS implemented the existing shrimp permit moratorium, which is set to expire after October 26, 2026, to stabilize fishing effort and prevent overcapacity in the Gulf shrimp fishery. This proposed rule would extend this permit moratorium for an additional 10 years.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.
No-action would revert to open access
If the moratorium expires after October 26, 2026 (no action), the commercial Gulf shrimp fishery would revert to open access and Federal shrimp permits would cease to have market value. The rule notes the median permit transfer price was about $5,250 (2022–2024), so current permit holders would lose that asset value while new entrants would face lower costs to enter.
Permanent limited access alternative considered
A second alternative considered would replace the temporary moratorium with a limited access permit that has no expiration date, effectively preserving permit asset value indefinitely for holders and maintaining entry barriers permanently. NMFS did not select this alternative because it would remove the scheduled re-evaluation built into a fixed 10-year moratorium.
Extend Gulf shrimp permit moratorium
NMFS proposes to extend the moratorium on issuing new Federal commercial Gulf shrimp vessel permits for 10 years, so it would be in effect through October 26, 2036. The current moratorium is set to expire after October 26, 2026, and this proposed rule would continue the limit on total permits.
Preserves permit asset value for holders
If extended through October 26, 2036, the moratorium would preserve the market value of existing Federal Gulf commercial shrimp permits so current permit holders keep an asset. From 2022 through 2024, the median transfer price for a Federal Gulf shrimp permit was $5,250, and there were about 1,287 valid or renewable permits as of December 31, 2024.
Raises barriers to entry for new entrants
Extending the moratorium through October 26, 2036 would keep permit supply limited, meaning new entrants would generally have to buy a moratorium permit rather than get an open-access permit. The document notes the median transfer price was $5,250 (2022–2024), so acquiring access would typically cost prospective entrants more than under open access.
Shorter (5-year) extension is an option
NMFS requests public comment on an alternative 5-year moratorium extension that would expire after October 26, 2031. A shorter extension would require reconsidering the moratorium earlier while still keeping some limitation on new permits.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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