Council Approved Florida Coral Reef Trawling Plan
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council backed a plan to allow rock shrimp trawling on the protected Oculina Bank.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Fishing
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Should federal regulators allow commercial fishing in previously protected deep-water coral reef habitats?
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council approved a plan on Jan. 23, 2026, to reopen 16 square nautical miles of the Oculina Bank to rock shrimp trawling. This proposal for the protected coral reef area, spanning from Flagler Beach to Fort Pierce, currently awaits final approval from the U.S. Commerce Secretary.
Why it matters
Council members argue the move fulfills previous commitments to fishers while maintaining habitat protection for the unique ivory tree coral. The proposal balances commercial interests against conservation needs for the reef, which serves as a critical marine ecosystem.
The Oculina Bank contains ivory tree coral reaching heights of 100 feet in depths up to 300 feet. The ecosystem supports 230 mollusk, 50 crustacean, and 21 starfish or urchin species, with about 24 vessels harvesting shrimp annually from a fleet of 130.
The players
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
This federal regional body is responsible for the conservation and management of fish stocks within the federal 200-mile limit off the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
NOAA Fisheries
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's fisheries service is the federal agency responsible for the stewardship of the nation's living marine resources.
U.S. Commerce Secretary
This federal executive official holds the ultimate authority to approve or reject fishery management plans proposed by regional councils.
The details
The council argues that the measure will facilitate the optimal harvest of rock shrimp without compromising the integrity of the coral reef. Interested parties have the opportunity to weigh in on the proposal before the federal government makes a final decision on whether to permit the nets.
Timeline
In 2021, the council approved a larger 22-square-mile reopening area.
The Commerce Secretary rejected the 2021 proposal in 2022.
On Jan. 23, 2026, the council approved the new 16-square-mile plan.
The public comment period for the proposal ends on Nov. 17, 2026.
Roadmap
The proposal follows the 2022 Commerce Secretary rejection of the Oculina Bank reopening proposal, marking a scaled-back effort by the council. This initiative reflects broader ongoing tensions in the region as managers attempt to balance the economic viability of rock shrimp fleets with conservation mandates.
Commercial fishers may see changes to their operational zones depending on the final federal decision. Residents and stakeholders have until November 17, 2026, to influence the process by submitting comments via the government website or by mail.
The takeaway
Balancing the economic demands of the rock shrimp industry with the preservation of deep-water coral reefs remains a delicate legislative process. Stakeholders are encouraged to engage with the federal comment period to ensure their perspectives are represented before the final ruling.
What happens next
The public comment period for this proposal remains open, with the final deadline for submissions set for November 17, 2026, before the Commerce Secretary reviews the final plan.
Further reading
Learn more about local regulations on the Fishing page.
More information
Submit feedback on the proposal through the public comment submission portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tcpalm.
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Should federal regulators allow commercial fishing in previously protected deep-water coral reef habitats?
