We work with the Gulf Council to manage fisheries in the Gulf of America* (formerly Gulf of Mexico). The Gulf Council develops management measures through fishery management plans for key marine species. We put in place the resulting regulations. Our 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 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 this video to learn more about this ecosystem
Fishery Management Plans
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Reef Fish![]()
Coastal Migratory Pelagics![]()
Coral and Coral Reefs- Actions involving multiple fishery management plans (Generic Amendments)
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Shrimp![]()
Spiny Lobster![]()
Red Drum![]()
Stone Crab (repealed)
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Fishing Resources
Fishing Resources- Sign up to receive Fishery Bulletins
- Opt-in to receive fishery-related alerts via text, standard message & data rates may apply:
- Recreational Fisheries
- Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
- Commercial Fisheries
- Text GULFCOMMFISH to 88877
- Recreational Fisheries
- Exempted Fishing Permits and Letters of Acknowledgement
- 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
- Maps and GIS Data
- Status of Fisheries
- Freedom of Information Act Permit and IFQ queries
- Glossary of Fisheries Terms
- Contact us
*Executive Order 14172, “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness” (Jan. 20, 2025), directs that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America. Gulf of America references in this website refer to the same area as the Gulf of Mexico in the applicable regulations under 50 CFR parts 216–219, 222–226, and 600–699. The name change did not result in any changes to, and had no effect on the applicability or enforceability of, any existing regulations. This website continues to use “Gulf of Mexico” when quoting statutes, existing regulations, or previously published materials.
