South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

Shrimp

Shrimp

The Shrimp Fishery Management Plan applies to the Shrimp resources of the South Atlantic Region and comprises the penaeid (pink, white, and brown) and rock shrimp species. The original FMP was approved in 1993. 

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

The Shrimp FMP was developed to allow South Atlantic states with the ability to request concurrent closure of the white shrimp fishery in the EEZ adjacent to their closed state waters following severe winter cold weather. The FMP also established a buffer zone extending seaward from shore 25 nautical miles, inside which no trawling is allowed with a net having less than 4 inches stretch mesh during an EEZ closure and provided for transit through the EEZ during closure of the white shrimp fishery. 

Species

Staff contacts

Upcoming meetings

Amendments under development

  • No current items

Completed Amendments

  • Shrimp Amendment 11

    Modified transit provisions for cold-weather closed areas for the penaeid (brown, pink, and white) shrimp fishery.

    Nov 23, 2020
  • Shrimp Amendment 10

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

    Jul 7, 2014
  • Shrimp Amendment 9

    Addressed the criteria process for a state to request a concurrent closure of South Atlantic penaeid shrimp in the adjacent exclusive economic zone during severe winter weather and revise the overfished status determination criteria for pink shrimp.

    Jul 15, 2013
  • Shrimp Amendment 8

    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.

    Jul 22, 2010
  • Shrimp Amendment 7

    Addressed rock shrimp limited access endorsements, required verification of a Vessel Monitoring System, and required provision of economic data by federal shrimp permit holders.

    Nov 2, 2009
  • Shrimp Amendment 6

    Established a federal permit for penaeid shrimp, required Bycatch Reduction Devices in the rock shrimp fishery, established a method to monitor and assess bycatch, and addresseded stock status determination criteria.

    Jan 11, 2006
  • Shrimp Amendment 5

    Established limited access for the rock shrimp fishery, required operator permits, minimum mesh size, and required Vessel Monitoring Systems for the rock shrimp fishery.

    Feb 18, 2003
  • Shrimp Amendment 3

    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.

    Jul 14, 2000
  • Shrimp Amendment 4

    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.

    Dec 2, 1999
  • Shrimp Amendment 2

    Added pink shrimp to the management unit, established multiple definitions for brown and pink shrimp, required the use of certified bycatch reduction devices in all penaeid shrimp trawls, and established a framework for bycatch reduction devices certification.

    Apr 21, 1997
  • Shrimp Amendment 1

    Added rock shrimp to the management unit, prohibited trawling for rock shrimp, and implemented measures to ensure adequate reporting and monitoring.

    Nov 1, 1996
  • Shimp Fishery Management Plan

    Addressed cold weather closures in the white shrimp fishery.

    Nov 26, 1993