NMFS proposes 10-year extension of Gulf shrimp permit moratorium

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), an agency of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) within the Department of Commerce, has issued a proposed rule to extend the moratorium on new commercial shrimp permits in the Gulf of Mexico for an additional 10 years. Published in the Federal Register of Tuesday, August 25, 2026 (Vol. 91, No. 163, Proposed Rules section, pp. 54841–54844), the measure would keep the moratorium in force through October 26, 2036, replacing the current moratorium that expires October 26, 2026. Written comments must be received no later than September 24, 2026.

Background and legal basis

The shrimp fishery in the Gulf is managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf (Shrimp FMP), prepared by NMFS and the Gulf Fishery Management Council (Council) and implemented through regulations at 50 CFR part 622. The proposed action is put forward under Amendment 19 to the Shrimp FMP and is proposed under the statutory authority of section 303(b)(6) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The docket is NOAA–NMFS–2026–1387, with RIN 0648–BO31.

The moratorium has a long history of periodic renewal:

• Amendment 11 (2002) first required a Federal permit for vessels harvesting shrimp commercially from Gulf Federal waters.
• Amendment 13 (2006, 71 FR 56039) established the initial 10-year moratorium, under which NMFS issued 1,933 vessel permits by 2008.
• Amendment 17A (2016, 81 FR 47733) renewed the moratorium for another 10 years, through October 26, 2026.
• Amendment 17B (2017, 82 FR 60564) set a minimum permit threshold of 1,072 Gulf shrimp permits.

Fleet and economic context

Prior to 2001, roughly 4,000 vessels fished for shrimp annually in Gulf Federal waters, and NMFS issued permits to about 2,951 vessels between 2002 and 2006. The fishery nonetheless remained overcapitalized, with more vessels than needed to harvest the available resource profitably, prompting the moratorium to stabilize effort. Since the 2008 renewal of 1,933 permits, the number of permits has fallen by 646, which NMFS has permanently removed from the permit pool.

As of December 31, 2024, there were 1,287 valid or renewable Gulf shrimp moratorium permits, down from an average of 1,376 per year between 2019 and 2023. From 2019 through 2023, an average of 932 vessels actively fished, each earning about $332,653 in gross revenue per year; net cash flow per vessel was $21,249 and net operating revenue $4,810, though both turned negative in 2022 and 2023. The median price of a Federal Gulf shrimp permit was estimated at $5,250 from 2022 through 2024.

Alternatives and impact

NMFS considered two alternatives to the proposed 10-year extension. The no-action alternative would let the moratorium expire after October 26, 2026, reverting the fishery to open access and eliminating permit asset value. A second alternative would establish a permanent limited access program without an expiration date, but was not selected because it would reduce the imperative for timely re-evaluations of fleet capacity. NMFS also requests comment on a shorter 5-year extension that would expire after October 26, 2031.

The proposed rule is expected to directly regulate up to 1,287 businesses in the commercial Gulf shrimp fishing industry, all believed to be small entities under the NMFS size standard. NMFS determined the rule is not significant for purposes of Executive Order 12866, and an initial regulatory flexibility analysis was prepared. The rule was signed on August 19, 2026, by Samuel D. Rauch III, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs.

Why it matters

For Gulf shrimpers, the extension preserves the value of their permits as limited assets and prevents the overcapacity, heightened competition and reduced profitability that would follow a return to open access. It also gives the Council and NMFS time to re-evaluate the minimum permit threshold in light of new science and the fishery’s current economic condition, while keeping the door open to entry and exit through continued permit transferability.

Source: Federal Register, Vol. 91, No. 163, August 25, 2026, Proposed Rules, pp. 54841–54844 (official reference: FR Doc. 2026-17300; Docket No. 260819–0006; RIN 0648–BO31).