Gulf Council requesting input from anglers on potential cobia changes

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will be discussing potential changes to cobia harvest regulations at its meeting later this month in Mobile, Alabama.

Harvest reduction measures to impact both recreational and commercial fisheries

In response to a potential decline in cobia numbers, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is considering ways to reduce harvests —  including increasing the minimum size limit, decreasing the possession limit, imposing a vessel limit — or some combination of all these measures.

The Council will be making a final decision on these changes later this month at their meeting in Mobile, Alabama.

Currently, the Gulf Council prefers increasing the minimum size limit to 36 inches fork length, decreasing the possession limit to one fish per person per day and implementing a vessel limit of two fish per vessel per day.

However, they are selecting from a number of alternatives and their preferences may change, especially in response to public comment.

You can submit comments directly to the Gulf Council online by close of business on Oct. 16. After that, either submit comments online to LDWF’s Gulf Council representative, or in person during the public comment period at the upcoming meeting (1:30 pm–4:30 pm on Wednesday, Oct. 24).

A vote on the final decision is expected on Thursday, Oct. 25.

For more information, contact Chris Schieble at cschieble@wlf.la.gov or 504-284-2035.