Amendment 62: Gulf Red Grouper Management Measures

Amendment 62 considers revising the red grouper allocation between the commercial and recreational sectors, the overfishing limit (OFL), acceptable biological catch (ABC), the total and sector annual catch limits (ACL), and sector annual catch targets (ACT). In addition, Amendment 62 considers eliminating the shallow-water grouper (SWG) February-March recreational closure in federal waters seaward of the 20-fathom boundary.

In 2025, a new stock assessment was completed for red grouper (Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) 88) . This assessment used updated recreational catch and effort data produced by the Florida State Reef Fish Survey (SRFS). Based on its review of that assessment, the Gulf Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) determined that the stock was not overfished or undergoing overfishing and recommended increases to the OFL and ABC relative to the current harvest limits. The stock assessment results indicated an increase in the red grouper stock size relative to the previous assessment. This document and rule would increase catch limits based on the SSC recommendations and Gulf Council motions.

In addition, this document and rule would eliminate the closure for shallow-water grouper species (gag, red grouper, black grouper, scamp, yellowmouth grouper, and yellowfin grouper) each year from February 1 through March 31 in federal waters seaward of the 20-fathom boundary.