NMFS proposes rock shrimp access area beside Oculina coral habitat; comments due December 14
A proposed rule set for Federal Register publication on November 12 would open a strip along the eastern edge of the northern Oculina Bank closure to rock shrimp trawling. It is a proposal, not a final rule, and it targets trawlers rather than anglers.
The National Marine Fisheries Service has a proposed rule (document 2026-23020, RIN 0648-BN92, 50 CFR part 622) scheduled for the November 12, 2026 Federal Register. It would implement Amendment 11 to the Coral Fishery Management Plan and Amendment 12 to the South Atlantic Shrimp Fishery Management Plan, both prepared by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Written comments are due on or before December 14, 2026.
If adopted, the rule would create a shrimp fishery access area along the eastern boundary of the northern extension of the Oculina Bank Habitat Area of Particular Concern, where rock shrimp trawling is currently prohibited. NMFS says the aim is to reinstate access to historic rock shrimp grounds and reach optimum yield in the fishery while minimizing impacts to deep-water corals in the habitat area.
Comments go through the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal at regulations.gov under docket NOAA-NMFS-2026-1750, or by mail to Rick DeVictor at the NMFS Southeast Regional Office in St. Petersburg, FL. NMFS lists Karla Gore at 727-824-5305 as the contact for questions. Comments sent by other routes or after the deadline may not be considered, and submissions are generally posted publicly.
What it means for anglers: nothing changes for recreational bag limits, seasons or permits. The proposal concerns commercial trawling next to a deep-water coral habitat off the southeastern coast. Anglers who fish or care about that hard-bottom habitat can comment, but the rule is a proposal and could change before it is final.
The excerpt we reviewed was cut off early in the supplementary information, so the access area boundaries, any gear or monitoring conditions, and the agency’s impact analysis are not covered here. Read the full notice and the linked amendment documents for those details.
On the water: Rules and conditions can change quickly. Confirm current regulations and official marine forecasts for your exact trip.