Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Quota Bank
The only program of its kind in the Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance launched the first Quota Bank in the Gulf of Mexico in 2015 to reduce red snapper discards in the eastern Gulf and to support the next generation of commercial red snapper fishermen. 2021 will mark our seventh year of operation.
Here's how it works
The Quota Bank leases red snapper allocation to the following two groups of fishermen:
- Eligible grouper fishermen that need red snapper allocation to cover some of their discards.
- Eligible “next generation” red snapper fishermen that are entering the fishery.
In exchange for leasing this allocation, Members agree to hold themselves to a high standard of accountability and participate in program requirements including electronic reporting, Best Business Practices, participation in regulatory meetings, and joining the Shareholders’ Alliance.
The Quota Bank is the only program of its kind in the Gulf of Mexico that is generating benefits for your fishery by:
- reducing red snapper discards,
- making fishing businesses more profitable,
- supporting the next generation of fishermen, and
- getting more fishermen involved in solving their management and regulatory problems.
2021 Quota Bank
Applications will be accepted on a quarterly basis and processed four times per year. Applications may be submitted at any time prior to the quarterly deadlines identified below:
- December 16, 2020 for Quarter 1 (January – March)
- March 1 for Quarter 2 (April – June)
- June 1 for Quarter 3 (July – September)
- September 1 for Quarter 4 (October – December)
The Shareholders' Alliance Board will review applications as soon as practicable after each quarterly deadline. Applications will be evaluated based on compliance with eligibility criteria, commitment to best practices, prioritization of gear and meeting attendance, allocation availability, and historical compliance with Quota Bank requirements (if applicable).
Please see the Frequently Asked Questions document below for answers to some of the more commonly-asked questions. This document will be updated regularly.
Apply to the Quota Bank
Ensure you have read all the materials, including eligibility criteria, before submitting your application.