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The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA and the Commerce Department, has finalized the catch limits for the 2025 Atlantic deep-sea red crab fishery. This decision sets the annual catch limit and total allowable landings to prevent overfishing and ensure the sustainable harvesting of these crabs. The rules, effective from March 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026, are aligned with the Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab Fishery Management Plan, ensuring that the plan's goals are met without negatively impacting small businesses or requiring new data collection efforts.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has temporarily closed the commercial harvest of king mackerel using run-around gillnet gear in the southern zone of the Gulf of Mexico. This decision was made because the annual catch limit for this type of fishing has been met. The closure is effective from March 20, 2025, at noon until January 20, 2026, at 6 a.m. This measure aims to protect the king mackerel population in the Gulf, ensuring sustainable fishing practices.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced a temporary closure of the red snapper recreational private angling component in federal waters off Texas in the Gulf of Mexico. This closure will be in effect from January 1, 2025, to June 1, 2025, to ensure that the annual catch limit (ACL) set for Texas is not exceeded and to help prevent overfishing. This decision was made following a request from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and is based on the authority given by the Fishery Management Plan and the Magnuson-Stevens Act. During this period, it will be illegal for private anglers to catch or possess red snapper in these federal waters, regardless of where they are from or where they plan to land.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is temporarily adjusting the 2025 recreational fishing season for gag fish in the South Atlantic to protect the fish population. This rule means the fishing season will start on May 1, 2025, but will close early on June 26, 2025, after projections showed the catch limit would be reached by that date. During this closure, anglers cannot catch or keep any gag fish until the new season begins on May 1, 2026. The decision aims to prevent overfishing as it did in 2024 and was not subject to public comment because the necessary rules were already established.