New Rules for Fishing Reef Species in Gulf of Mexico

As of June 1, 2008, new state and federal regulations will require commercial and recreational fishermen angling for reef species in the Gulf of Mexico to carry and use circle hooks when fishing with live or cut baits, a dehooking device and a venting tool.

The intent of the new regulations is to reduce bycatch and discard mortality of reef fish that are caught and not kept. If the gear associated with these new regulations is used properly, it will help more reef fish survive when they are released.

Florida Sea Grant provides the following information to help bring fishermen up to speed as quickly as possible on the changes, as well as encourage them to adopt fishing techniques that lead to a reduction in the mortality of fish caught and released.

About Federal Reef Fish Regulations in Gulf
Non-stainless steel circle hooks are required, along with venting tools and dehooking devices when angling for reef fish because they reduce mortality on released fish.
NOAA Fisheries FAQs (effective June 1, 2008)

New Reef Fish Gear Rules for Florida
FWC has approved changes to management rules for red snapper harvested in Gulf of Mexico state waters, and also has approved new rules that will require all commercial and recreational anglers fishing for any Gulf reef fish species to use circle hooks, dehooking devices and venting tools.
New Reef Fish Gear Rules
FWC Frequently Asked Questions

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General Catch-and-Release Information

Catch-and-Release:Things you can do to help saltwater fish survive
New brochure with tips to help saltwater fishermen increase survival of fish they catch and release. Includes information on 2008 Gulf reef fish regulation changes. View PDF

Circle Hooks
Circle hooks have been used by commercial fishermen for decades due to their ability to efficiently catch fish, but they can be used on any species of fish caught on hook and line to improve the survival of the fish that they catch and release.
Circle Hooks brochure by Florida Sea Grant

Venting Fish
Learning the simple technique of venting fish can help reduce the mortality of reef fish whose swimbladders have over-expanded or burst when the fish is brought quickly to surface.
Venting: A Guide to Releasing Reef Fish with Ruptured Swimbladders

Dehookers
De-hooking tools, or dehookers, are instruments used to dislodge the hook from the fish’s mouth without removing the fish from the water. Dehookers come in a variety of shapes and sizes; use the tool that works best for the fish you are releasing.
How to Use Dehookers


Resuscitation Tanks
Catch-and-release tournaments increasingly use a fish resuscitation system to enhance survival of released fish. This guide provides all the basic information necessary to assemble a fish resuscitation system, and provides instructions for using it safely and successfully.