Key Message:

NOAA announces a final rule to amend existing regulations to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America and other related edits, consistent with Executive Order (E.O.) 14172, “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness”. NOAA can make name changes in its own regulations consistent with existing law, but cannot modify the text of statutes enacted by Congress. There will remain limited statutory references to the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and Gulf of Mexico until or unless legislation is enacted to update statutes to reflect the Gulf of America name.

When Rule Will Take Effect:

• The regulatory change of the name in the code of the federal registry occurred on August 7th, 2025.

What This Means:

• Executive Order 14172 issued January 20, 2025, directed that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America, as such, NOAA identified numerous references to the Gulf of Mexico in existing NOAA Fisheries regulations that need to be revised to ensure compliance with the E.O.
• This rule would amend regulations promulgated under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), and Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act (ACA).
• Because only Congress can make statutory changes, there will remain limited statutory references to the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and Gulf of Mexico until or unless legislation is enacted to update statutes to reflect the Gulf of America name.
• This rule will ensure consistent use of the Gulf of America name in NOAA Fisheries regulations.

Formal Federal Register Name/Number: 90 FR 38001, published August 7, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this rule substantively change existing NOAA Fisheries regulations?

• No. This rule changes regulatory references of Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America. This rule has no effect on the applicability or enforceability of NOAA Fishery regulations or permits, and this rule will have no cost or substantive impact on the public.

Does the name change alter the Gulf of America Alliance’s statutory designation or its eligibility to receive funds as an existing regional ocean partnership?

• No. The statute names states that are included and nothing in the law indicates that an entity, once designated as a regional ocean partnership, is precluded from adopting a different name. The Gulf of America Alliance has submitted the appropriate documentation to NOAA in order to process and implement the name change within our grants and financial systems.

Where can I find more information on this rule?

• Contact NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

By Mail: Lauren Waters

NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

Directorate

263 13th Avenue South

St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505

By Phone: 727-209-5991

• Rule information may be found online at the NOAA Fisheries Website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/final-rule-gulf-america-regulatory-changes

Sign Up for Text Message Alerts

Our Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery related alerts via text message (SMS). Standard message and data rates may apply. You may opt-out at any time. Text alerts you may receive include immediate fishery openings and closures and any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly.

Sign up for one or more of the fisheries-related alerts below by texting the following to 888777:

• Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico) Recreational: Text GULFRECFISH
• Gulf of America Commercial: Text GULFCOMMFISH
• South Atlantic Recreational: Text SATLRECFISH
• South Atlantic Commercial: Text SATLCOMMFISH
• Caribbean: Text CARIBFISH

Quick Glance Contact List for the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office

Permits Mailbox

The Permits Office in St. Petersburg, Florida now has a Permits mailbox in the front lobby (263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701). You can now drop off original permits for permit transfers. Envelopes with information labels will be provided so that your documents can be attached to the correct application. The mailbox will be checked daily. For more information contact the Permits Office at (877) 376-4877.

Other Contacts

Media: Allison Garrett (727) 551-5750

Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan (727) 385-5202