Comprehensive Amendment Coral 11 & Shrimp 12
Amendment Summary
Coral Amendment 11/ Shrimp Amendment 12 aims to establish a Shrimp Fishery Access Area (SFAA) along the eastern boundary of the northern extension of the Oculina Bank Habitat Area of Particular Concern (HAPC).
Purpose of the Amendment: To establish a Shrimp Fishery Access Area (SFAA) along the western boundary of the northern extension of the Oculina Bank Habitat Area of Particular Concern (OHAPC) where fishing for rock shrimp would be allowed. The area under consideration was once utilized by the fishery but access to it was restricted with implementation of Coral Amendment 8 in 2014.
Action Summary: To establish an area within the existing OHAPC where rock shrimp fishing would be allowed to restore access to historic grounds to the fishery while maintaining protection for Oculina coral.
Key Events:
- December 2021: Coral Amendment 10, which had the same goal as this amendment was submitted and disapproved.
- December 2023: Council directs staff to reassemble IPT and begin the process of resubmitting the amendment.
- September 2024: The Council received input from staff on the plans to redevelop this amendment, and decided to develop a joint amendment between the Shrimp and Coral Fishery Management Plan (FMP).
- March 2025: The Council reviewed the range of alternatives which included a proposed alternative that would establish a smaller SFAA than the one selected as the preferred during Coral Amendment 10. The Council determined that this alternative did not satisfy the purpose and need of the amendment and it was not included. The IPT will analyze the current range of alternatives and present this analysis in June 2025.
Amendment documents
- Final approval
- Implementation
- Pre-scoping
- Public hearing
- Rule making
- Scoping
- Secretarial review