GULF STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION

Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission is a state-level intergovernmental agency focused on the sustainable management and conservation of marine fisheries resources along the Gulf Coast. Its core capabilities center on scientific research, data collection, and ecosystem-based fisheries management, with technical expertise in stock assessment modeling, habitat monitoring, and regulatory compliance frameworks for commercial and recreational fisheries. The organization specializes in collaborative governance between state agencies, supporting science-driven policy development and enforcement of federal fisheries mandates under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Key differentiators include its regional coordination role, field-based data acquisition networks, and integration of biological, economic, and social data to inform adaptive management strategies. Award history is not available to infer specific agency relationships, but as a regional fisheries commission, it routinely interfaces with NOAA Fisheries, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and state departments of marine resources to implement federal fishery management plans and conduct joint stock evaluations. Its work supports national objectives in marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable seafood supply chains. The primary NAICS code 114119 reflects its focus on fishing and marine resource management activities, placing it within the broader aquaculture and marine conservation sector. In practice, this means the organization engages in applied fisheries science, habitat restoration planning, and stakeholder engagement with commercial harvesters, recreational anglers, and coastal communities. Structurally, Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission operates as a compact-based intergovernmental entity under 2A classification, with no federal certifications on record. It maintains a permanent operational presence in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, serving as a regional hub for Gulf Coast fisheries coordination. Its market positioning is defined by its statutory mandate to bridge state and federal management authorities, making it a critical non-profit intergovernmental actor in marine resource governance rather than a commercial contractor.