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 America, 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
GSMFC 76th Annual Meeting
Oct 27-Oct 30, 2025
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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GSMFC 77th Annual Meeting
Oct 12-Oct 15, 2026
FL
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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GSMFC 78th Annual Meeting
Oct 18-Oct 21, 2027
TX
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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GSMFC 79th Annual Meeting
Oct 16-Oct 19, 2028
LA
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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GSMFC 80th Annual Meeting
Oct 15-Oct 18, 2029
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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Latest Publications
Red Snapper Recreational Discard Data Quality Improvement Workshop
This report details the background, technologies, and conclusions discussed at the second IRA workshop on July 30 - August 1, 2024. The focus of this workshop was the improvement of recreational discard estimates from federal and state surveys.
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Red Snapper Fishing Effort Estimation Improvement Workshop
As part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), $10.65MM has been allocated to be used to improve estimates of recreational fishing effort and discards of reef fish, specifically red snapper, in the Gulf of Mexico. To develop workplans and budgets for these projects, the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission (GSMFC) is holding three workshops in 2024. This report details the background, technologies, and conclusions discussed at the first IRA workshop on June 4-6, 2024.
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Minutes from 2023
The minutes of the meetings and activities supported by the Commission are published upon their approval by their respective committees. These minutes reflect the variety of topics and actions taken during the process of conducting each committee's business in support of marine fisheries management in the Gulf.
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Law Summary 2023. A Summary of Marine Fishing Laws and Regulations for the Gulf States and the South Atlantic
The Commission publishes an annual compilation of commercial and recreational saltwater regulations for the five Gulf States. Newly included are laws and regulations for South Atlantic Federal Waters as well as the states of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and the east coast of Florida. This publication is available online only.
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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, 2023 to September 30, 2024. A detailed summary of FY2024 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.
Read More »Interjurisdictional Fisheries Program
Designed to develop management plans for transboundary stocks that migrate freely through state and federal jurisdictions.
Read More »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.
Read More »Sport Fish Restoration Administrative Program
Designed to provide coordination of the recreational fisheries programs in the five gulf states.
Read More »Fisheries Disaster Recovery Program
Aimed at improving the public perception and confidence in Gulf of America seafood following various man-made and natural disasters.
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