Gulf of America Name Change

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 15 CFR Parts 921, 922, and 923 50 CFR Parts 217, 218, 222, 223, 224, 226, 229, 300, 600, 622, 635, and 697 [Docket No. 250731-0134] RIN 0648-BN94 ( printed page 38001) AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC). ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: NMFS and NOS are amending their regulations to change the name of the “Gulf of Mexico” to the “Gulf of America,” consistent with a Presidential directive issued through Executive Order. The intended effect of this rule is to ensure consistency with the Executive Order and to provide clarity for the regulated and general public moving forward regarding the Gulf of America name change. DATES: This final rule is effective August 7, 2025. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document, call or email Ms. Jenni Wallace, NOAA Fisheries; telephone (301) 427-8544, email jenni.wallace@noaa.gov . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: President Donald J. Trump issued Executive Order (E.O.) 14172, titled “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness” ( 90 FR 8629 ) on January 20, 2025. E.O. 14172 directed that the area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico be renamed as the Gulf of America. The purpose of this rule is to update the NMFS and NOS regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to reflect the re…