The federal government plans to open previously established Closed Zones off South Carolina, the East Coast of Florida, and in the Gulf on April 2, 2026. However, this action will only proceed if the proposed Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Fishery Management Plan for Highly Migratory Species is not struck down by a federal court for violating the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). If the action is found to violate the APA, the agency would be required to restart the rulemaking process using language that is clear and understandable to the public.
TBF has opposed the government’s effort to implement Amendment 15, arguing that the proposal contains significant flaws, including reliance on “spatial management science,” a concept often promoted by environmental organizations that can effectively result in widespread fishing closures.
Despite more than 700 pages of complex text, tables, and diagrams, the agency failed to clearly explain the rationale behind Amendment 15 in plain, understandable language. As a result, members of the public—particularly those without advanced expertise in fish population dynamics—were unable to fully understand the proposal or its implications, creating a significant barrier to meaningful public engagement.
In addition to the lack of clear communication, the scientific process used in developing Amendment 15 differed from previous fishery management regulatory actions. The amendment did not adequately incorporate the expertise of the agency’s experienced fishery scientists, raising further concerns about the scientific foundation of the proposal.
