Sustainable Fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico

The Gulf of Mexico Branch (Gulf Branch) works with the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council  (Gulf Council) to manage fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf Council develops management measures through fishery management plans (FMPs) for key marine species. The Gulf Branch puts in place the resulting regulations. Gulf Branch staff provide guidance on fisheries management; assess environmental impacts of management measures; educate the public on fishery management issues; coordinate public review and comments during regulations development; and issue fishing closures to prevent overfishing.  

The Gulf of Mexico ecosystem spans from the Yucatan peninsula to the straits of Florida. Commercial fishing in the Gulf contributes millions of dollars to the economy from this ecosystem. Its seabed also produces more than half the U.S. domestic supply of oil and natural gas. Successfully managing marine fisheries in today's busy ocean requires understanding the entire ecosystem. Watch the Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem video to learn more

Fishery Management Plans (FMP)

•  Reef Fish
•  Coastal Migratory Pelagics
•  Coral and Coral Reefs
• Actions involving Multiple FMPs (Generic Amendments)
•  Shrimp
•  Spiny Lobster
•  Red Drum
•  Stone Crab (repealed)

Fishing Resources

• Sign up to receive Fishery Bulletins
• Opt-in to receive fishery-related alerts via text, standard message & data rates may apply:
  • Gulf of Mexico Recreational Fisheries
    • Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
  • Gulf of Mexico Commercial Fisheries
    • Text GULFCOMMFISH to 88877
• Exempted Fishing Permits (EFP) and Letters of Acknowledgement (LOA)
• Red Snapper Overview
• Electronic Reporting Technologies
• Marine Aquaculture
• Highly Migratory Species
• Gulf Council Fishery Management Areas Map Viewer
• Sea Turtle, Smalltooth Sawfish Release Gear and Protocols, and Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs)
• Maps and GIS Data
• Status of Fisheries
• Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Permit and IFQ queries
• Glossary of Fisheries Terms
• Contact us