Gulf of America Individual Fishing Quota Program Reminders

Key Messages:

• NOAA Fisheries is sending this reminder to ensure Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program participants are informed about new and important requirements, such as management actions, IFQ system functions, and how to participate in the program.
• For further information, IFQ participants can contact Catch Share Support at (866) 425-7627 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays.

Fishery Management Updates

• Amendment 63 to the Gulf Fishery Management Council's (Council) Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan (FMP) proposes the development of a red grouper quota pool. At their June 2026 meeting, the Council took final action on Amendment 63 to establish a quota pool using a proportion of the red grouper annual catch limit. The quota pool program would establish a three-year commercial quota pool beginning in 2027, and only become applicable if the quota is set above 4.28 million pounds (mp) gutted weight (gw). The Amendment would designate 50% of the quota above 4.28 mp gw to the quota pool program. If the red grouper catch limit increase the Council recently proposed through Amendment 62 is implemented, the quota pool would be allocated 0.275 mp for 2027 and 0.545 mp in 2028 and 2029. Qualified candidates must have landed at least 500 pounds of red grouper during a rolling two-year reference period and hold a federal commercial reef fish permit. Half of the quota pool would be distributed to active red grouper fishermen without red grouper shares and half would be distributed to active fishermen with red grouper shares . Allocation would be distributed proportionally based on red grouper landings within each pool . Annual allocation from the quota pool would be in a new allocation category and would be non-transferable.

The following amendments to the Reef Fish FMP are in the scoping phase and pertain to participation in the IFQ programs and the redistribution of IFQ shares:

• Amendment 59A is considering requiring a commercial reef fish permit to obtain and maintain an IFQ account. This would make the Gulf programs similar to other catch share programs nationwide.
• Amendment 59B would add a requirement to show landings activity in the fishery in order to maintain shares.
• Amendment 60 considers reclaiming and redistributing shares from accounts that fail to meet new criteria specified in Amendments 59A and 59B and from accounts that have not been accessed or used in several years. These shares and agency reclaimed shares would be redistributed to participants. Amendment 60 also considers future quota increases for new (replacement) fishermen.

The following amendments are in the rule making phase:

• Amendment 58B proposes modifications to the deep-water grouper complex catch limits and management measures for yellowedge grouper, warsaw grouper, snowy grouper, and speckled hind. The Council developed Amendment 58B to end overfishing of yellowedge grouper. The purpose of Amendment 58B is to update catch levels, management measures, and sector allocations for the deep-water grouper complex consistent with the best scientific information available. The proposed rule published in May 2026 for public comment. This rulemaking, and any related reduction in quota, is expected to be finalized in time to affect the 2027 commercial season.

• Amendment 62 contains modifications to management measures for Gulf red grouper. If implemented, this amendment would raise the red grouper commercial quota to 4.28 mp in 2026, 4.83 mp in 2027, and 5.37 mp in 2028 onward. It would also modify sector allocations.

For more information on Council motions, upcoming meetings, and to submit comments, visit GulfCouncil.org .

Catch Shares Online System Updates

Catch Share Program staff have implemented several new features within the Catch Shares Online System in an effort to expand functionality and improve the user experience, including:

• An automated email will be sent to the primary email address of a shareholder account when it reaches 60 days from the date it would become "suspended" due to an out-of-date IFQ online account application. Reminder emails will be sent 45 days, 30 days, and 15 days before the account becomes "suspended." The "Validity Date" under the "Account Status" tab indicates when your IFQ online account application renewal, including citizenship verification, is due. Please update your information before that due date or you will be restricted from accessing your IFQ account.

• An automated email will be sent to the primary email address of a shareholder account when the account PIN, vessel signature PIN, or secret questions are changed.
• Upon logging into a dealer account, a pop-up message will appear reminding you to pay any outstanding cost recovery fees. Cost recovery fees are due on a quarterly basis and notifications will appear starting the last month of each quarter (April, July, October, January).
• Upon logging into a dealer account, a pop-up message will appear notifying you that your cost recovery fees are delinquent if you have not paid them during the month in which they were due (April, July, October, January).
• Street addresses have been added to dealer facilities on the Landing Transaction entry screen.
• Under "View Landings" and "View Landing Notifications," you can download an entire year of data in an Excel spreadsheet or PDF.

Many of these changes were prompted by user feedback. If you have a suggestion to improve the Catch Share Online System, please email [email protected] .

Southeast Fisheries Permits Office

For Permits Office Customer Support, call (877) 376-4877. To leave a voicemail, select option #6. Please leave a detailed message including your name, callback number, the reason you are calling, and, if applicable, your application number. If you do not have an application number, please provide your vessel's official number (state or US Coast Guard documentation number) or dealer number as an alternative identifier. All voicemails will be returned in the order received, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday.

Alternatively, you may email your questions to [email protected] . Please take precautions to protect your personal information by refraining from including any Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or Business Identifiable Information (BII) in your email. This will help ensure the security and confidentiality of your sensitive data.

You may begin the permit renewal application process up to 60 days in advance of your permit expiration. Starting the application process early can help to prevent a lapse in permit validity.

For more information, visit Southeast Fisheries Permits .

Sign Up For Text Message Alerts - Find Out About Immediate Openings and Closures

NOAA's Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery-related alerts via text message (SMS). Standard message & data rates may apply. You may opt out at any time.

Text alerts you may receive include:

• Immediate fishery openings and closures.
• Any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly.

Sign up for one or more of the following groups:

• Gulf of America Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
• Gulf of America Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text GULFCOMMFISH to 888777
• South Atlantic Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text SATLRECFISH to 888777
• South Atlantic Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text SATLCOMMFISH to 888777
• Caribbean Fisheries Related Alerts