Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of America, and South Atlantic; Extension of the Commercial Shrimp Permit Moratorium in the Gulf of America

NMFS issues this proposed rule and seeks public comment on a management measure proposed in Amendment 19 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf (Shrimp FMP) and this proposed rule. If implemented by NMFS, Amendment 19 and this proposed rule would extend the moratorium on the issuance of new commercial shrimp permits in the Gulf of America (Gulf). NMFS implemented the existing shrimp permit moratorium, which is set to expire after October 26, 2026, to stabilize fishing effort and prevent overcapacity in the Gulf shrimp fishery. This proposed rule would extend this permit moratorium for an additional 10 years.