Amendment 58B: Modifications to Deep-water Grouper Management Measures

This amendment considers updates to management measures for the Deep-water Grouper (DWG) complex (yellowedge grouper, snowy grouper, warsaw grouper, and speckled hind) in the Gulf. The Gulf Council is developing this amendment to address overfishing of yellowedge grouper based on the most recent assessment of the stock (Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review 85, 2023). The need for the amendment is to use the best scientific information available, based on the recent stock assessment, to implement measures to end overfishing of yellowedge grouper, and to achieve optimum yield for DWG species, consistent with the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Amendment 58B would modify biological reference points, status determination criteria and catch limits, the allocation between the commercial and recreational sectors, and the recreational accountability measures.