Final Rule to Increase Gulf of America Red Grouper Catch Limits and Modify Management Measures

Key Message:

NOAA Fisheries is publishing a final rule to implement Amendment 62 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf.  Amendment 62 will increase red grouper catch limits and modify management measures.  This rule is effective as of today, October 2, 2026.

This rule will:

• Increase the Gulf red grouper annual catch limits (ACL) for the commercial and recreational sectors, and set the commercial quota and the recreational annual catch target (ACT).  The sector ACLs, commercial quota, and recreational ACT will increase each year through 2028, and remain the same thereafter.

• Remove the February 1 – March 31 recreational seasonal closure for shallow-water grouper species in federal waters seaward of the 20-fathom boundary.  Gulf shallow-water grouper species include red grouper, gag, scamp, yellowmouth grouper, black grouper, and yellowfin grouper.

   

Catch limits for Gulf red grouper, including the overfishing limit (OFL), acceptable biological catch (ABC), total ACL, and sector catch limits.  All weights are in millions of pounds, gutted weight. 

Additional management measures being implemented include:

• Revise the status determination criteria for red grouper.
• Set the overfishing limit and acceptable biological catch for red grouper. 
• Revise allocations for the commercial and recreational sectors based on the updated stock assessment and landings estimates:
  • The recreational sector will be allocated 31.8% of the total ACL.
  • The commercial sector will be allocated 68.2% of the total ACL.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is NOAA Fisheries taking this action?

• The most recent stock assessment of Gulf red grouper found that catch limits can be increased substantially without harm to the population.

• Removal of the February-March closure is expected to allow greater access to the red grouper resource for recreational fishermen.

   

What are “shallow-water grouper”?

• Shallow-water grouper are six grouper species (red grouper, gag, black grouper, yellowmouth grouper, scamp, and yellowfin grouper) grouped based on the depth at which these species are generally caught, and whether it is common for these species to be caught on the same fishing trips.

• NOAA Fisheries manages red grouper and gag as individual species.  The four remaining species are managed together under the Other Shallow-water Grouper complex.  Catch limits and management measures are set for the complex of four species, rather than for each species individually.

   

Why is the February-March shallow-water grouper closure in waters seaward of the 20-fathom boundary being removed?

• Red grouper is the only shallow-water grouper species that will be affected by removal of this closure.
  • The gag fishing season is closed each year from January through August.
  • Beginning in 2027, the “Other shallow-water grouper complex” (black grouper, yellowfin grouper, scamp, and yellowmouth grouper) fishing season will be closed from January through June.

• There is no indication that this closure has been beneficial to the red grouper stock or to the stocks of the remaining shallow-water grouper species.

   

Where can I find more information on Amendment 62?

• Contact NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

By Mail: Daniel Luers

NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

Sustainable Fisheries Division

263 13th Avenue South

St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505

By FAX: (727) 824-5308

By Phone: (727) 824-5305

• The amendment may be found online at the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/amendment-62-gulf-red-grouper-management-measures  

Sign Up For Text Message Alerts - Find Out About Immediate Openings and Closures

NOAA's Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery-related alerts via text message (SMS).  Standard message & data rates may apply.  You may opt out at any time.

Text alerts you may receive include:

• Immediate fishery openings and closures
• Any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly

Sign up for one or more of the following groups:

• Gulf Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
• Gulf Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text GULFCOMMFISH to 888777
• South Atlantic Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text SATLRECFISH to 888777
• South Atlantic Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text SATLCOMMFISH to 888777
• Caribbean Fisheries-Related Alerts
  • Text CARIBFISH to 888777

Quick Glance Contact List for the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office

Permits Mailbox: The Permits Office in St. Petersburg, Florida, now has a Permits mailbox in the front lobby (263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701). You can now drop off original permits for permit transfers.  Envelopes with information labels will be provided so that your documents can be attached to the correct application.  The mailbox will be checked daily.  For more information contact the Permits Office at 877-376-4877.

Other contacts:

Media: Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750

Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan, 727-385-5202