Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders' Alliance
Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders' Alliance
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  • Home
  • About Us
  • Internships
  • Membership
  • Red Grouper
  • Quota Bank
  • Young Fishermen
  • Our Team
  • In the News
  • Find Gulf Seafood
  • Follow Us
  • Our Partners
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 reef fish fishermen. 2023 will mark our ninth year of operation.  

Here's how it works

The Quota Bank leases red snapper allocation to the following two groups of fishermen:

  1. Eligible grouper fishermen that need red snapper allocation to cover some of their discards.
  2. 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, and participation in regulatory meetings.


The Quota Bank is the only program of its kind in the Gulf of Mexico that is generating benefits for your fishery by:

  1. Reducing red snapper discards.
  2. Making fishing businesses more profitable.
  3. Providing you access to exclusive Shareholders' Alliance membership benefits (i.e. regular newsletters, policy updates).
  4. Supporting the next generation of fishermen.
  5. Getting more fishermen involved in the management and regulatory process.

2023 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 13, 2022 for Quarter 1 (January – March)
  • March 6, 2023 for Quarter 2 (April – June)
  • June 1, 2023 for Quarter 3 (July – September)
  • September 1, 2023 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.


View meetings that you can attend as a Quota Bank Member.

Apply to the Quota Bank

First Time Applicant

First Time Applicant

First Time Applicant

If you are new to the Quota Bank and have never worked with us before, fill out this application. 

2023 Membership Application

Returning Applicant

First Time Applicant

First Time Applicant

If you are a previous member, or if you were approved this year and are requesting more allocation, fill out this renewal request. 

2023 Renewal Request

2023 Operations Plan and Agreement

Download PDF

Additional Documents

For more information on the Quota Bank, check out these documents. 

2023 Quota Bank Info (pdf)

Download

Reef Fish Quota Bank Operations Plan (2023) (pdf)

Download

Frequently Asked Questions (2023) (pdf)

Download

Quota Bank Announcement to the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (pdf)

Download

Handbook of Quota Banks Around the Country (pdf)

Download

Press release celebrating 2017 Gulf Guardian Award (pdf)

Download

Presentation to Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (June 2019) (pdf)

Download

2021 Quota Bank Annual Meeting Summary (pdf)

Download

Upcoming Meetings

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Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders' Alliance

1902 Wharf Road Galveston, TX 77550 US

eric@shareholdersalliance.org

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Promoting Gulf of Mexico sustainable fisheries