NOAA Considers Special Permit to Study Fish Gatherings in Gulf
Published Date: 10/28/2026
Notice
Summary
NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service got a request to try out a special fishing permit to study fish gatherings in the Gulf of America. This research aims to better understand fish spawning to help protect them while supporting fishing communities. If you want to share your thoughts, you’ve got until November 12, 2026, to speak up!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Permit could waive fishing rules
If NMFS issues the requested exempted fishing permit (EFP), federally permitted commercial and recreational for-hire fishermen in the Gulf could be exempted from Federal size limits (50 CFR 622.37 and 622.380), bag limits (50 CFR 622.38 and 622.382), individual fishing quota requirements (50 CFR 622.21 and 622.22), seasonal and area closures (50 CFR 622.34 and 622.36), and restrictions on sale and purchase (50 CFR 622.40 and 622.386). The applicant requested the EFP be valid through December 31, 2030.
Authorized sampling: 233 fish per year
The EFP request asks permission to collect up to 233 fishes each year for four years (total annual authorized samples = 233). Sampling could occur anywhere in the Gulf at depths from 10 to 1,800 feet and at any time of year.
Study Fleet trips, training, and pay
The proposed project would use trained, certified professional captains operating federally-permitted commercial or recreational for-hire vessels on up to 120 sampling trips over 4 years (about 30 trips per year). Study Fleet participants would be trained/certified by RESTORE project partners and would be compensated through pre-agreed arrangements. Samples must be returned to dockside samplers within no more than 48 hours.
Permit may restrict protected areas and species
If granted, the EFP could include conditions such as prohibitions on sampling inside marine protected areas, marine sanctuaries, special management zones, or other areas without additional authorization, and could require special protections for Endangered Species Act-listed species, designated critical habitat protections, or particular gear markings.
Public comment window closes November 12, 2026
The public may submit written comments on the EFP application (NOAA-NMFS-2026-2806) and must do so no later than November 12, 2026. Comments can be submitted via https://www.regulations.gov or by mail to the NMFS Southeast Regional Office in St. Petersburg, FL.
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Key Dates
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