Gulf Council

Tomorrow, our Reef Fish committee meets starting at 8:30 AM EDT. They'll be taking final action on Amendment 63 and discussing several draft options.

Also, don't forget to sign up for public testimony which starts Wednesday at 8:45 AM EDT!

You can register for the webinar here: https://gulfcouncil.org/meetings/june-2026-council-meeting/

Amberjack season announced! NOAA Fisheries just announced the 2026 season for greater amberjack will start September 1st and will close October 14th.

You can read more about it here: https://gulfcouncil.org/recreational-fishing-season-length-announcement-for-greater-amberjack-in-federal-waters-of-the-gulf-of-america/

The Gulf Council meeting starts tomorrow with Shrimp, Habitat Protection and Restoration, and Data Collection committees. Public testimony begins Wednesday, June 3rd at 08:45 AM. Meeting agenda, materials, and links to tune in are here:

June 2026 Council Meeting | Gulf Council Agenda Briefing Book 1: May 15, 2026 Briefing Book 2: May 22, 2026 How to Participate Virtually – coming soon Register to Provide Virtual Public Testimony – available June 1 View Virtual Public Testimony Sign Up List – coming soon Agenda Table of Contents (Tab A, No. 1) Council Committee Roste...

Last chance to let us know what changes you see happening with the ecosystems across the Gulf. Don't forget to let us know how you think those changes are impacting the fish.
Let us know what you've noticed here: https://forms.gle/yVeQAapdt9KMRWzE8

The Council meets next week for 3 days in Tampa, Florida (June 1-3). They're planning to take final action on a potential commercial red grouper quota pool, as well as discuss for-hire data collection and management of greater amberjack.

Read more: https://gulfcouncil.org/june-2026-council-meeting-preview/

Let's be honest, we're all guilty of unproductive social media use.
Instead of just commenting on Facebook posts, why don’t you give us a call? We can’t use your social media comments as official public comment so, call our anonymous hotline so we can share your thoughts with the Council.

Leave an anonymous voicemail at 850-297-2883

The summer fishing season is upon us... Follow this link to check out our recreational fishing calendar to get a better idea of what you can catch when:https://gulf-council-media.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/2026/05/2026-Recreational-Fishing-Seasons-Calendar_May2026.pdf

Just in: NOAA Fisheries announced that the 2026 Gag recreational season in the Gulf will open September 1, 2026, and close at 12:01 am on October 1, 2026.

You can read the official announcement from NOAA here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/noaa-fisheries-announces-2026-gag-recreational-season-federal-waters-gulf

This year marks 50 years of federal fisheries management through the fishery council system. We're proud to be the most open, public regulatory process in the nation (and maybe the world). As you know fisheries management is rarely easy or without controversy. That's why the council system was built to ensure that local expertise drives the development of regulations. Read more about it:

50 Years of Regional Fisheries Management Sustaining Fisheries and Fishing Communities Since 1976 | Gulf Council The nation’s eight Regional Fishery ManagementCouncils commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Council system this week during the Council Coordinating Committee meeting in Homer, Alaska. The Council system was established by Congress through the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Managemen...