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The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council are holding a joint meeting from February 25-27, 2025, at the Gulf Council office in Tampa, Florida. During this meeting, their Standing Scientific and Statistical Committees (SSCs) will discuss various fish stock assessments, including those for Mutton Snapper and Yellowtail Snapper, as well as other fishery management topics like catch limits and fishing practices. Public comments will be accepted at the end of each day. The meeting is accessible to people with disabilities and will also be available via webinar.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is hosting a public, in-person meeting of its Shrimp Advisory Panel on March 4, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The meeting will be held at the Gulf Council office in Tampa, Florida. On the agenda, the panel will review previous meeting actions, discuss federal shrimp permits, and look at shrimp landings and fishing efforts. There will also be discussions on various environmental updates, including sea turtle and sawfish protections. The meeting is open to the public, with accommodations available for those with disabilities.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is organizing a four-day online meeting from January 25 to January 28, 2021, to discuss issues that affect the fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico's exclusive economic zone. The meeting will be held via webinar and will include discussions on topics like fishery management plans, committee updates, budget reviews, and various fish species assessments. Public testimony will be arranged on January 27 and will cover different amendments and actions related to fishery management. People interested in attending can register for the webinar through the Council's website.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is organizing a public meeting of the Ad Hoc Charter For-hire Data Collection Advisory Panel. This meeting will take place on February 24, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at their office in Tampa, Florida. The agenda includes discussing economic data collection methods, reviewing a draft document on For-hire Data Collection, and exploring outreach approaches for a new data collection program. Public comments will also be invited, and further information can be found on the Gulf Council's website.

The National Marine Fisheries Service is announcing the standard prices and the fee percentage for cost recovery for the Central Gulf of Alaska Rockfish Program for the 2024 fishing year, which runs from May 1 to November 15. The fee percentage is set at 3.00 percent, which is the maximum allowable by law, even though the calculated cost recovery rate was higher. These fees are used to cover management and enforcement costs and must be paid by February 15, 2025. The significant increase in program costs and the decrease in fishery value led to the higher calculated recovery rate.

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a final rule to modify possession limit regulations for federally permitted charter boats and headboats operating in the Gulf of Mexico. The rule allows fishers to take two daily bag limits during trips longer than 30 hours, with permits and trip details properly documented, enhancing trip efficiency and reducing wasted catches. Additionally, the rule updates reporting requirements for fishing quotas during emergencies, simplifying the process for using paper records. Public feedback showed support for these changes, noting improved regulatory clarity and economic benefits for the fishing industry.

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), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has issued a temporary rule to close commercial fishing for king mackerel using run-around gillnets in the southern Gulf of Mexico. This closure, starting on January 28, 2021, and lasting until January 18, 2022, is due to the annual catch limit being reached. The closure is intended to protect the king mackerel population in the area. While the commercial use of gillnets is halted, hook-and-line fishing and recreational fishing for king mackerel in the area may continue under certain conditions.

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced a meeting of the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses, which will take place via teleconference on March 10, 2021. The meeting will be open to the public and will cover VA activities and updates on scientific research related to Gulf War illnesses. It will feature presentations from a recent VA-DoD conference and offer recommendations for next steps. The session will also include time for public comments, and individuals may submit a summary or written statements to be included in the official meeting record.

In accordance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has issued a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to TGS, allowing for the incidental taking of small numbers of marine mammals during geophysical survey activities in the Gulf of America. The survey will use specific techniques and equipment, like the Gemini sound source, which have been evaluated for their impact on marine life. The activities will occur between March and December 2025 but are not expected to impact Rice's whale habitat. NMFS has determined that the incidental takes allowed will not exceed "small numbers" as defined by the regulations, ensuring minimal impact on marine mammal populations.