NOAA Fisheries seeks public input on shrimp permit moratorium

NOAA Fisheries is asking for public comment on a plan to extend the existing commercial shrimp permit moratorium for an additional 10 years.

The moratorium was put in place in 2006 because high fuel prices and reduced shrimp prices were hurting the gulf shrimp industry.

Regulators felt limiting the number of shrimp boats allowed to work in federal waters would allow the fishery to again become profitable for the remaining participants.

NOAA Fisheries says the moratorium has also indirectly lowered bycatch levels of juvenile red snapper and sea turtles.

Now the moratorium on new permits is coming to an end and regulators fear additional boats could negate, or at least lessen, profitability for the fleet as a whole.

NOAA Fisheries plans to extend the commercial shrimp permit moratorium for an additional 10 years – until October the 26^th, 2026.

Public comments on the proposal are being accepted through May the 16^th.

If you would like to read the proposed rule for yourself or comment on the proposal, just follow the link we’ve set up on this story at oysterradio.com and on the oyster Radio facebook page.

For more information on Amendment 17A, visit the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Region Web site at:

http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_fisheries/shrimp/2016/am17a/index.html.

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