NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments on an Application for an Exempted Fishing Permit to Support Cooperative Research that Would Identify and Verify Fishing Spawning Aggregations in[...]

Key Message:

NOAA Fisheries is accepting comments on an application for an exempted fishing permit (EFP) to support cooperative research in the Gulf of America (Gulf). The goals of the research are to verify, characterize, monitor, and model multi-species fish spawning aggregations (FSAs).

How To Comment On The Application:

The comment period is open now through November 12, 2026. You may submit comments by electronic submission or by postal mail. Comments sent by any other method (such as e-mail), to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NOAA Fisheries.

Application information: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/sustainable-fisheries/cooperative-research-and-management-fish-spawning-aggregations-gulf /.

Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.

1. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAA-NMFS-2026-2806 .

2. Click the "Comment" icon, complete the required fields.

3. Enter or attach your comments.

Mail: Submit written comments to Frank Helies, NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

Program Concepts

• The project would engage federally permitted commercial and recreational charter vessel (for-hire) fishermen to bridge the science-to-policy gap via advisory groups and an inclusive process to identify priority FSAs for characterization, monitoring, and modeling.
• The project aims to conduct cooperative research on up to 120 sampling trips over 4 years (approximately 30 trips per year) to be conducted by trained professional captains without scientists on board.
• An initial set of sites was identified during a workshop funded by the Restore Science Program and additional sites would be identified during meetings with small groups of fishermen during 2026 and 2027 and opportunistically through the life of project using information from a large monitoring database, bathymetric data, and geomorphological and seasonal cues from published and grey literature reports, as well as fishermen's knowledge.
• Fishermen would conduct limited sampling to verify predicted spawning aggregations and to ensure data quality, accountability, and project management captains would undergo training and certification to participate as members of a study fleet.
• Study fleet members would operate federally permitted commercial or recreational for-hire fishing vessels. Participants would be compensated through pre-agreed arrangements.
• Sampling trips would be authorized for pre-agreed and limited numbers of pre-determined species at highly specific, pre-agreed times and locations.
• Potential study sites include the entire Gulf, in depths from 10 to 1,800 feet and sampling may occur at any time of the year.
• At specified times and locations, fishermen would use hook-and-line gear (automatic reel, bandit gear, bottom longline, and rod and reel) to capture targeted species. Target species would include commercially and recreationally important species that are known to aggregate to spawn. These species include federally managed triggerfish, groupers, snappers, jacks, mackerel, and cobia. The number of samples to be collected at each predicted time and location would be minimal, (between 2-5 fish) particularly for large-bodied and slower growing species.
• Non-target species caught during sampling would be noted on the data sheet. These fishes would either be released, with a descending device if possible, or retained by Study Fleet participants if retention is permitted under the applicable regulations. All fishes collected for the study will be donated to charity.
• Study fleet collected samples and associated data sheets would be transferred to project scientists and recorded with chain of custody signatures to ensure all samples are accounted for, sample numbers do not exceed agreed-upon numbers or species, and serve as documentation to support fishermen's compensation.

The applicant requested exemptions from the applicable Federal regulations for project participants to harvest the species and quantities of Gulf reef fish and coastal migratory pelagic fish requested in the application anytime during a year. If an EFP is issued by NOAA Fisheries, such exemptions could include allowances to exceed certain bag, size, or trip limits, or access to certain areas or times with applicable harvest restrictions. NOAA Fisheries finds this application warrants further consideration, and is seeking public comment on the application. A final decision on issuance of the EFP will depend on NOAA Fisheries' review of public comments received, the Gulf Fishery Management Councils' recommendations, consultations with the affected states, and the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as a determination that it is consistent with all applicable laws.

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Quick Glance Contact List for the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office

Permits Mailbox: The Permits Office in St. Petersburg, Florida, now has a Permits mailbox in the front lobby (263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701). You can now drop off original permits for permit transfers. Envelopes with information labels will be provided so that your documents can be attached to the correct application. The mailbox will be checked daily. For more information, contact the Permits Office at 877-376-4877.

Other contacts:

Media: Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750

Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan, 727-385-5202