South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

Golden Crab

Golden Crab

The Golden Crab Fishery Management Plan applies to the golden crab resources of the South Atlantic Region. The original FMP was approved in 1995. 

Official name: Fishery Management Plan for the Golden Crab Fishery of the South Atlantic Region.

The Golden Crab FMP established a management program for the golden crab fishery in the South Atlantic Exclusive Economic Zone. The FMP set up a limited entry system and divided the fishery into three zones, required escape gaps with degradable panels in crab traps, prohibited the sale of female crabs, limited retention of female crabs to 0.5% by number, and required that crabs be landed whole. 

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Amendments under development

Amendment Step

No amendments currently under development.

Completed Amendments

  • Implemented: Feb 2, 2024

    Golden Crab Amendment 11

    Included in the Comprehensive Acceptable Biological Catch Control Rule Amendment. Modifies the Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) Control Rule to address scientific uncertainty, management risk, and rebuilding stocks. Specifies criteria and procedures for phase-in of ABC changes and carry-over of unused portions of annual catch limits.

  • Implemented: Feb 1, 2015

    Golden Crab Amendment 9

    Adjusted sector allocations for dolphin. Modified accountability measures for snapper grouper species and golden crab.

  • Implemented: Jul 7, 2014

    Golden Crab Amendment 8

    Included in the Comprehensive Dealer Reporting Amendment. Modified permitting and reporting requirements for seafood dealers receiving federally managed species under eight fishery management plans.

  • Implemented: Apr 16, 2012

    Golden Crab Amendment 5

    Included in the Comprehensive Annual Catch Limit Amendment. Established acceptable biological catch (ABC) control rules, ABC levels, annual catch limits, sector and jurisdictional allocations, and accountability measures for species not undergoing overfishing; modified the snapper grouper fishery management unit (removed species, designated ecosystem component species, established complexes).

  • Implemented: Jul 22, 2010

    Golden Crab Amendment 4

    Included in the Comprehensive Ecosystem-Based Amendment 1. Established deepwater Coral Habitat Areas of Particular Concern (CHAPC) and established Shrimp Fishery Access Areas and Allowable Golden Crab Fishing Areas within the CHAPCs. Provided spatial information for Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) and EFH-HAPC under multiple fishery management plans.

  • Implemented: Dec 31, 2002

    Golden Crab Amendment 3

    Addressed gear limitations, vessel permitting specifications, specified status determination criteria, created a sub-zone within the Southern Zone with specified conditions, and modified the FMP framework to allow modifications to the sub-zone.

  • Implemented: Jul 14, 2000

    Golden Crab Amendment 1

    Included in the Comprehensive EFH Amendment. Identified essential fish habitat (EFH) and established EFH-habitat areas of particular concern (HAPC) for managed species in the South Atlantic.

  • Implemented: Dec 2, 1999

    Golden Crab Amendment 2

    Included in the Comprehensive Sustainable Fisheries Act Amendment. Addressed definitions and other required provisions of the Sustainable Fisheries Act in South Atlantic fishery management plans.

  • Implemented: Apr 10, 1995

    Golden Crab Fishery Management Plan

    Established a limited entry system and divided the fishery into three zones, required escape gaps with degradable panels in crab traps and that crabs be landed whole, and prohibited sale of female crabs.