Federal Register #Docket No. 260819-0006

Proposed Extension of Gulf of America Commercial Shrimp Permit Moratorium

This notice announces a proposed regulatory action by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA under the Department of Commerce, regarding commercial shrimp fishing in the Gulf of America. - Government Buyer: - Department of Commerce - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Southeast Regional Office - Action Proposed: - Extension of the moratorium on issuing new commercial shrimp vessel permits in the Gulf of America for an additional 10 years - Alternative option for a 5-year extension is also under consideration - Purpose and Rationale: - Stabilize the shrimp fishery and prevent overcapacity - Maintain the value of existing permits and allow for permit transferability - Support economic viability amid low shrimp prices and foreign competition - Provide time to reevaluate the minimum permit threshold for optimizing fishery yield - Scope and Impact: - Approximately 1,287 valid or renewable permits currently exist - About 932 vessels actively fish annually under these permits - No OEMs, vendors, or commercial products/services are being procured; this is a regulatory action only - Public comment is being sought on the proposed rule

Description

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes to extend the moratorium on the issuance of new commercial shrimp permits in the Gulf of America for an additional 10 years, through October 26, 2036. This moratorium aims to stabilize fishing effort and prevent overcapacity in the Gulf shrimp fishery. The proposed rule seeks public comment and is based on Amendment 19 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf. The extension would maintain the value of existing permits and allow for permit transferability, while providing time to reevaluate the minimum shrimp permit threshold for optimizing yield in the fishery.

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