The Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission was established by an act of Congress (P.L. 81-66) in 1949 as a compact of the five Gulf States. Its charge is:
"to promote better utilization of the fisheries, marine, shell and anadromous, of the seaboard of the Gulf of Mexico, by the development of a joint program for the promotion and protection of such fisheries and the prevention of the physical waste of the fisheries from any cause."
Upcoming Meetings
Atlantic Croaker TTF Meeting
Jan 25-Jan 26, 2017
Gibson Inn
51 Avenue C
Apalachicola, FL
Biological Profile draft development meeting of the Atlantic croaker technical task force (TTF). The meeting will go review the various contributions to date from the TTF members on biology, habitat, and fishery history for the Gulf of Mexico.
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Otolith Manual Revision Meeting
Feb 15-Feb 16, 2017
Doubletree Atlantic Beach
2717 W. Fort Macon Road
Atlantic Beach, NC
Combined meeting of the GSMFC and the ASMFC to merge the sections of the draft revision to the otolith manual. Tasks include evaluation of various techniques common to both coasts as well as additional methods used by different labs and regions.
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GSMFC 67th Annual Spring Meeting
Mar 13-Mar 16, 2017
Courtyard by Marriott Gulfport Beachfront
1600 East Beach Blvd.
Gulfport, MS
The annual meeting of the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission to discuss a variety of issues related to fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico.
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Press Releases
Update of the Gulf of Mexico Gulf Menhaden Stock Assessment (GDAR02)
October 20, 2016 - Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida - The Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (GSMFC)
has completed an update of the stock assessment of the Gulf menhaden population in the northern Gulf of Mexico. The regional assessment has
been completed through the GSMFC’s Gulf Data, Assessment, and Review (GDAR) Program as GDAR02. Each of the five state marine resource agencies
provided the necessary data and expertise to develop abundance indices for use in stock assessment model. This assessment provides an update
to the 2013 Gulf menhaden (Brevoortia patronus) benchmark for the Gulf of Mexico (SEDAR32A).
Biological Profile for Tripletail in the Gulf of Mexico and the Western Central Atlantic
November 3, 2016 - Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida - The Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (GSMFC) is
pleased to announce the completion and final approval of the Biological Profile for Tripletail in the Gulf of Mexico and the Western Central
Atlantic. The Biological Profile is a cooperative effort to describe the tripletail populations throughout the territorial seas of the U.S.
Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Central Western Atlantic.
Latest Publications
Sixty-Sixth Annual Report 2015
The Commission publishes a comprehensive review of the activities in the Gulf of Mexico related to the management of marine fisheries each year. The report includes specifics on Commission programs as well as those of our regional state partners, National Marine Fisheries Service, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
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Law Summary 2016. A Summary of Marine Fishing Laws & Regulations for the Gulf States
The Commission publishes an annual compilation of the five Gulf states’ latest commercial and recreational saltwater regulations books. This publication is available online only and is no longer printed and distributed.
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Joint Annual Report of the Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP)
This report provides an overview of the SEAMAP Gulf, South Atlantic and Caribbean programs. It outlines the program management, resource survey operations, information services activities, and publications for FY2015 and proposed activities for FY2016.
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Biological Profile for the Tripletail Fishery in the Gulf of Mexico and the Western Central Atlantic
A comprehensive review of the biology of a species or species group and includes a description of the fisheries as well as discussion on the distribution, habitat, and any knowledge of genetics specific to the Gulf Region. The profile summarizes any existing state management including laws, regulations, and policies as well a description of the social and economic importance of the species. A biological profile highlights any knowledge gaps that may exist which could limit future management. A management profile identifies data gaps which may hinder future determination of stock status and effective management in the region.
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Annual Report to the Technical Coordinating Committee, Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission
SEAMAP Subcommittee Report to the GSMFC Technical Coordinating Committee - October 1, 2015 to September 30, 2016. A detailed summary of FY2016 program accomplishments, emphasizing survey design, material collected data dissemination, budget information, and future survey activities.
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Fisheries Information Network
A cooperative program for the collection, management, and dissemination of statistical
data and information on the Gulf Region's commercial and recreational fisheries.
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Interjurisdictional Fisheries Program
Designed to develop management plans for transboundary stocks that migrate freely through state and
federal jurisdictions.
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Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program
A state/federal/university program for the collection, management and dissemination of
fishery-independent data and information in the southeastern United States.
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Sport Fish Restoration Administrative Program
Designed to provide coordination of the recreational fisheries programs in the five gulf states.
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Fisheries Disaster Recovery Program
Aimed at improving the public perception and confidence in Gulf of Mexico seafood following the 2010
Deepwater Horizon oil disaster.
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