Rock Shrimp Permit Requirements

NOAA Fisheries Service approved an amendment to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the South Atlantic Region on August 21, 2009. The SSA spearheaded the effort to revoke the “use it or lose it” policies hindering the rock shrimp fishery. Amendment 7 removes the 15,000-pound rock shrimp landing requirement, reinstates all endorsements lost due to not meeting the landing requirement of 15,000 pounds of rock shrimp in one of four consecutive calendar years, and reinstates all endorsements for those who renewed their permit in the year in which they failed to renew their endorsement. The final rule became effective on November 2, 2009.