North Atlantic right whale mom and calf, Photo credit: Blue World Research Institute
Recreational angler holding red snapper. Credit: Fish and Wildlife Research Institute.
Gulf of Mexico Historical Commercial Landings and Annual Catch Limit Monitoring
Summary of landings history for fisheries managed under commercial ACLs in the Gulf of Mexico. Any discrepancies between this information and the regulations published in the Federal Register will be resolved in favor of the Federal Register.
- CURRENT COMMERCIAL LANDINGS: For current preliminary landings, please visit Gulf of Mexico Commercial Annual Catch Limit Landings
- SEASONAL CLOSURES: For a list of seasonal closures, please visit Gulf of Mexico Seasons and Closures
- FEDERAL REGULATIONS: For the most current federal regulations, please visit Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 622 - Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and South Atlantic
- OTHER LANDINGS: See the Southeast Region Annual Catch Limit Monitoring page for other fish landings information.
- FISHERY BULLETINS: Sign up to stay up-to-date with fishery announcements
- For more information on fishery management please visit the Gulf of Mexico Branch Homepage
DEFINITIONS: ACT - Annual Catch Target ACL - Annual Catch Limit ww - whole weight gw - gutted weight NA - not applicable
All 2019 landings reported on this page are considered preliminary.
Annual Catch Targets (ACTs) and Annual Catch Limits (ACLs) were defined in 2012. Before establishing ACLs/ACTs in 2012, stocks below were subject to quotas.
This page provides only a summary of the information regarding the existing regulations. Any discrepancies between this information and the regulations as published in the Federal Register will be resolved in favor of the Federal Register.
Goliath Grouper and Nassau Grouper are closed to harvest.
This page was updated 10/23/2020
Cobia East Coast Florida*
| Year | Fishing Year | Total Reported | Units | ACT | ACT % |
ACL | ACL % |
Closure Date | Data Source | |
| 2019 | Jan 1 - Dec 31 | 33,874 | as reported | 70,000 | 48.4 | NA | NA | ACL_FILES_100920 | ||
| 2018 | 32,839 | 70,000 | 46.9 | |||||||
| 2017 | 41,043 | 70,000 | 58.6 | |||||||
| 2016 | 48,611 | 70,000 | 69.4 | |||||||
| 2015 | 62,464 | 70,000 | 89.2 | |||||||
*The Florida East Coast Zone (east coast of Florida and Atlantic side of the Florida Keys) is part of the Gulf of Mexico stock but management has been delegated to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
Deep Water Grouper*
(Warsaw grouper, snowy grouper, speckled hind, and yellowedge grouper)
| Year | Fishing Year | Total Reported* | Units | ACT | ACT % |
ACL | ACL % |
Closure Date | Data Source | |
| 2019 | Jan 1- Dec 31 | 996,660 | gw | 1,024,000 | 97.3 | 1,070,000 | 93.1 | IFQ | ||
| 2018 | 863,320 | 1,024,000 | 84.3 | 1,070,000 | 80.7 | |||||
| 2017 | 860,936 | 1,024,000 | 84.1 | 1,070,000 | 80.5 | |||||
| 2016 | 889,965 | 1,024,000 | 86.9 | 1,070,000 | 83.2 | |||||
| 2015 | 955,250 | 1,101,000 | 86.8 | 1,150,000 | 83.1 | |||||
| 2014 | 1,081,145 | 1,110,000 | 97.4 | 1,160,000 | 93.2 | |||||
| 2013 | 920,034 | 1,118,000 | 82.3 | 1,170,000 | 78.6 | |||||
| 2012 | 966,100 | 1,127,000 | 85.7 | 1,170,000 | 82.6 | |||||
| 2011 | 778,728 | 1,020,000 | 76.3 | NA | NA | |||||
| 2010 | 606,223 | 1,020,000 | 59.4 | |||||||
| 2009 | 1,126,189 | 1,020,000 | 110.4 | 6/27/09 | ACL_FILES_100920 | |||||
| 2008 | 1,108,590 | 1,020,000 | 108.7 | 5/10/08 | ||||||
| 2007 | 1,157,187 | 1,020,000 | 113.4 | 6/2/07 | ||||||
| 2006 | 1,072,690 | 1,020,000 | 105.2 | 6/23/06 | ||||||
| 2005 | 1,141,141 | 1,020,000 | 111.9 | 6/23/05 | ||||||
| 2004 | 1,249,664 | 1,020,000 | 122.5 | 7/15/04 | ||||||
*Deep water grouper are now managed under a stock ACL, meaning both commercial and recreational landings contribute towards total landings. Please see the stock page more for information.
Gag Grouper
| Year | Fishing Year | Total Reported* | Units | ACT | ACT % |
ACL | ACL % |
Closure Date | Data Source | |
| 2019 | Jan 1- Dec 31 | 532,015 | gw | 939,000 | 56.7 | 1,217,000 | 43.7 | IFQ | ||
| 2018 | 492,934 | 939,000 | 52.5 | 1,217,000 | 40.5 | |||||
| 2017 | 492,095 | 939,000 | 52.4 | 1,217,000 | 40.4 | |||||
| 2016 | 910,996 | 939,000 | 97.0 | 1,217,000 | 74.9 | |||||
| 2015 | 542,774 | 939,000 | 57.8 | 1,217,000 | 44.6 | |||||
| 2014 | 586,377 | 835,000 | 70.2 | 1,100,000 | 53.3 | |||||
| 2013 | 575,335 | 708,000 | 81.3 | 956,000 | 60.2 | |||||
| 2012 | 523,138 | 567,000 | 92.3 | 788,000 | 66.4 | |||||
| 2011 | 318,663 | 430,000 | 74.1 | NA | NA | |||||
| 2010 | 496,826 | 1,410,000 | 35.2 | |||||||
| 2009* | 715,814 | 1,320,000 | 54.2 | ACL_FILES_100920 | ||||||
*Prior to 2009, Gag grouper was part of the shallow water grouper complex.
Gray Triggerfish
| Year | Fishing Year | Total Reported | Units | ACT | ACT % |
ACL | ACL % |
Closure Date | Data Source | |
| 2019 | Jan 1- Dec 31 | 62,810 | ww | 60,298 | 104.2 | 63,498 | 98.9 | 11/26/19 | ACL_FILES_100920 | |
| 2018 | 65,373 | 60,900 | 107.3 | 64,100 | 102.0 | 10/7/18 | ||||
| 2017 | 63,264 | 60,900 | 103.9 | 64,100 | 98.7 | 11/17/17 | ||||
| 2016 | 59,787 | 60,900 | 98.2 | 64,100 | 93.3 | |||||
| 2015 | 48,012 | 60,900 | 78.8 | 64,100 | 74.9 | |||||
| 2014 | 40,908 | 60,900 | 67.2 | 64,100 | 63.8 | |||||
| 2013 | 63,086 | 54,802 | 115.1 | 54,802 | 115.1 | |||||
| 2012 | 72,778 | 51,290 | 141.9 | 64,100 | 113.5 | 7/1/12 | ||||
| 2011 | 105,251 | 106,000 | 99.3 | NA | NA | |||||
| 2010 | 55,661 | 106,000 | 52.5 | |||||||
| 2009 | 78,117 | 93,000 | 84.0 | |||||||
| 2008 | 76,717 | 80,000 | 95.9 | |||||||
Greater Amberjack
| Year | Fishing Year | Total Reported | Units | ACT | ACT % |
ACL | ACL % |
Closure Date | Data Source | |
| 2019 | Jan 1- Dec 31 | 356,430 | ww | 337,503 | 105.6 | 389,767 | 91.4 | 6/9/19 | ACL_FILES_100920 | |
| 2018 | 326,088 | 277,651 | 117.4 | 319,140 | 102.2 | 4/3/18 | ||||
| 2017 | 453,849 | 394,740 | 115.0 | 464,400 | 97.7 | 6/20/17 | ||||
| 2016 | 437,390 | 394,740 | 110.8 | 464,400 | 94.2 | 7/17/16 | ||||
| 2015 | 460,786 | 409,000 | 112.7 | 481,000 | 95.8 | 7/19/15 | ||||
| 2014 | 482,277 | 409,000 | 117.9 | 481,000 | 100.3 | 8/25/14 | ||||
| 2013 | 457,879 | 338,157 | 135.4 | 410,157 | 111.6 | 7/1/13 | ||||
| 2012 | 308,334 | 237,438 | 129.9 | 237,438 | 129.9 | 3/1/12 | ||||
| 2011 | 508,871 | 342,091 | 148.8 | NA | NA | 6/18/11 | ||||
| 2010 | 534,095 | 373,072 | 143.2 | 10/28/10 | ||||||
| 2009 | 601,446 | 503,000 | 119.6 | 11/7/09 | ||||||
| 2008 | 440,936 | 503,000 | 87.7 | |||||||
King Mackerel
| Zone | Year | Fishing Year | Total Reported | Units | Quota | Quota % |
ACL | ACL % |
Closure Date | Data Source |
| Western Zone | 2018-2019 | July 1 - June 30 | 1,090,596 | as reported | 1,116,000 | 97.7 | 2,204,100 | 98.7 | 10/5/2018 | ACCSP/GSMFC as of 10/20/20 |
| FL Florida West Coast Northern Subzone | October 1 - September 30 | 397,926 | 502,200 | 79.2 | ||||||
| FL West Coast Southern Subzone (Hook and Line) | July 1 - June 30 | 687,587 | 585,900 | 117.4 | 2/22/2019 | |||||
| Western Zone | 2017-2018 | July 1 - June 30 | 1,068,145 | 1,136,000 | 94.0 | 2,243,600 | 110.5 | 10/7/2017 | ||
| FL Florida West Coast Northern Subzone | October 1 - September 30 | 538,559 | 511,200 | 105.4 | 5/15/2018 | |||||
| FL West Coast Southern Subzone (Hook and Line) | July 1 - June 30 | 872,694 | 596,400 | 146.3 | 2/20/2018 | |||||
| Western Zone | 2016-2017 | July 1 - June 30 | 1,142,360 | 1,180,000 | 96.8 | 2,330,500 | 92.5 | 10/14/2016; Reopened: 5/11/17 closed: 5/22/17 | ||
| FL Florida West Coast Northern Subzone | October 1 - September 30 | 293,475 | 531,000 | 55.3 | 11/10/2016; Reopened 5/11/17 | |||||
| FL West Coast Southern Subzone (Hook and Line) | July 1 - June 30 | 719,036 | 619,500 | 116.1 | 2/25/2017 | |||||
| Western Zone | 2015-2016 | July 1 - June 30 | 1,222,665 | 1,071,360 | 114.1 | 2,904,552 | 110.4 | 11/17/2015 | ||
| FL East Coast Subzone* | November 1 - March 31 | 1,142,360 | 1,102,896 | 103.6 | ||||||
| FL Florida West Coast Northern Subzone | October 1 - September 30 | 181,952 | 178,848 | 101.7 | 11/28/2015 | |||||
| FL West Coast Southern Subzone (Hook and Line) | July 1 - June 30 | 658,735 | 551,448 | 119.5 | 3/27/2016 | |||||
| Western Zone | 2014-2015 | July 1 - June 30 | 1,364,366 | 1,071,360 | 127.3 | 2,904,522 | 115.6 | 10/17/2014 | ||
| FL East Coast Subzone* | November 1 - March 31 | 1,066,523 | 1,102,896 | 96.7 | ||||||
| FL Florida West Coast Northern Subzone | July 1 - June 30 | 228,841 | 178,848 | 128.0 | 10/27/2014 | |||||
| FL West Coast Southern Subzone (Hook and Line) | July 1 - June 30 | 696,466 | 551,448 | 126.3 | 2/5/2015 | |||||
| Western Zone | 2013-2014 | July 1 - June 30 | 1,036,626 | 1,071,360 | 96.8 | 2,904,522 | 93.1 | 9/20/2013 | ||
| FL East Coast Subzone* | November 1 - March 31 | 793,721 | 1,102,896 | 72.0 | ||||||
| FL Florida West Coast Northern Subzone | July 1 - June 30 | 259,945 | 178,848 | 145.3 | 10/12/2013 | |||||
| FL West Coast Southern Subzone (Hook and Line) | July 1 - June 30 | 612,962 | 551,448 | 111.2 | 2/21/2014 | |||||
| Western Zone | 2012-2013 | July 1 - June 30 | 1,113,930 | 1,180,480 | 94.4 | 3,200,386 | 99.0 | 8/22/2012 | ||
| FL East Coast Subzone* | November 1 - March 21 | 938,817 | 1,215,228 | 77.3 | ||||||
| FL Florida West Coast Northern Subzone | July 1 - June 30 | 319,696 | 197,064 | 162.2 | 10/5/2012 | |||||
| FL West Coast Southern Subzone (Hook and Line) | July 1 - June 30 | 795,724 | 607,614 | 131.0 | ||||||
| *As of May 11, 2017, the King Mackerel fishery zone were redefined, and the Florida east coast subzone was removed. As such, the quota previously associated with the Florida east coast subzone was distributed to the other remaining zones. | ||||||||||
King Mackerel Southern Subzone (Gillnet)
| Zone | Year | Fishing Year | Total Reported | Units | Quota | Quota % |
ACL | ACL % |
Closure Date | Data Source |
| Southern Subzone (Gillnet) | 2018 -2019 | July 1* - June 30 | 604,700 | as reported | 585,900 | 103.2 | NA | NA | 2/8/2019 | ACCSP/GSMFC as of 10/20/20 |
| 2017 -2018 | 552,775 | 596,400 | 92.7 | |||||||
| 2016 -2017 | 538,213 | 619,500 | 86.9 | 2/10/2017; Reopened 5/11/17 | ||||||
| 2015-2016 | 529,745 | 551,448 | 96.45 | 3/11/2016 | ||||||
| 2014-2015 | 543,730 | 551,448 | 96.58 | 2/20/2015 | ||||||
| 2013-2014 | 614,720 | 551,448 | 112.58 | 1/29/2014 | ||||||
| 2012-2013 | 509,883 | 607,614 | 82.36 |
*Actual opening date is the Tuesday after MLK Day.
Red Grouper
| Year | Fishing Year | Total Reported | Units | ACT | ACT % |
ACL | ACL % |
Closure Date | Data Source | |
| 2019 | Jan 1 - Dec 31 | 2,037,046 | gw | 3,000,000 | 67.9 | 3,160,000 | 64.5 | IFQ | ||
| 2018 | 2,363,280 | 7,780,000 | 30.4 | 8,190,000 | 28.9 | |||||
| 2017 | 3,328,271 | 7,780,000 | 42.8 | 8,190,000 | 40.6 | |||||
| 2016 | 4,497,582 | 7,780,000 | 57.8 | 8,190,000 | 54.9 | |||||
| 2015 | 4,798,007 | 5,720,000 | 83.9 | 6,030,000 | 79.6 | |||||
| 2014 | 5,601,905 | 5,630,000 | 99.5 | 6,030,000 | 92.9 | |||||
| 2013 | 4,599,001 | 5,530,000 | 83.2 | 6,030,000 | 76.3 | |||||
| 2012 | 5,219,133 | 5,370,000 | 97.2 | 6,030,000 | 86.6 | |||||
| 2011 | 4,783,668 | 5,230,000 | 91.5 | NA | NA | |||||
| 2010 | 2,910,970 | 5,750,000 | 50.6 | |||||||
| 2009 | 3,698,227 | 5,750,000 | 64.3 | ACL_FILES_100920 | ||||||
| 2008 | 4,748,224 | 5,310,000 | 89.4 | |||||||
| 2007 | 3,650,777 | 5,310,000 | 68.8 | |||||||
| 2006 | 5,109,824 | 5,310,000 | 96.2 | |||||||
| 2005 | 5,380,603 | 5,310,000 | 101.3 | 10/10/2005 | ||||||
| 2004 | 5,635,577 | 5,310,000 | 106.1 | 11/15/2004 | ||||||
Red Snapper
| Year | Fishing Year | Total Reported | Units | ACT | ACT % |
ACL | ACL % |
Closure Date | Data Source | |
| 2019 | Jan 1 - Dec 31 | 7,658,140 | ww | 7,701,000 | 99.4 | 7,701,000 | 99.4 | IFQ | ||
| 2018 | 6,977,131 | 7,007,000 | 99.6 | 7,007,000 | 99.6 | |||||
| 2017 | 6,978,662 | 7,007,000 | 99.6 | 7,007,000 | 99.6 | |||||
| 2016 | 6,723,822 | 6,768,000 | 99.3 | 6,768,000 | 99.3 | |||||
| 2015 | 7,184,210 | 7,293,000 | 98.5 | 7,293,000 | 98.5 | |||||
| 2014 | 5,567,822 | 5,610,000 | 99.2 | 5,610,000 | 99.2 | |||||
| 2013 | 5,448,543 | 5,610,000 | 97.1 | 5,610,000 | 97.1 | |||||
| 2012 | 4,036,398 | 4,121,000 | 97.9 | 4,121,000 | 97.9 | |||||
| 2011 | 3,594,551 | 3,664,000 | 98.1 | NA | NA | |||||
| 2010 | 3,392,208 | 3,542,000 | 95.8 | |||||||
| 2009 | 2,483,565 | 2,550,000 | 97.4 | |||||||
| 2008 | 2,483,602 | 2,550,000 | 97.4 | |||||||
| 2007 | 3,182,730 | 3,315,000 | 96.0 | |||||||
Shallow Waters Grouper*
Black grouper, scamp, yellowmouth grouper, and yellowfin grouper
| Year | Fishing Year | Total Reported | Units | ACT | ACT % |
ACL | ACL % |
Closure Date | Data Source | |
| 2019 | Jan 1 - Dec 31 | 140,083 | gw | 525,000 | 26.7 | 547,000 | 25.6 | IFQ | ||
| 2018 | 178,293 | 525,000 | 34.0 | 547,000 | 32.6 | |||||
| 2017 | 200,009 | 525,000 | 38.1 | 547,000 | 36.6 | |||||
| 2016 | 335,238 | 525,000 | 63.9 | 547,000 | 61.3 | |||||
| 2015 | 238,427 | 525,000 | 45.4 | 547,000 | 43.6 | |||||
| 2014 | 230,248 | 523,000 | 44.0 | 545,000 | 42.2 | |||||
| 2013 | 300,735 | 518,000 | 58.1 | 540,000 | 55.7 | |||||
| 2012 | 298,102 | 509,000 | 58.6 | 531,000 | 56.1 | |||||
| 2011 | 187,026 | 410,000 | 45.6 | NA | NA | |||||
| 2010 | 176,773 | 410,000 | 43.1 | |||||||
| 2009 | 4,701,806 | 7,480,000 | 62.9 | ACL_FILES_100920 | ||||||
| 2008 | 6,355,425 | 8,800,000 | 72.2 | |||||||
| 2007 | 5,210,701 | 8,800,000 | 59.2 | |||||||
| 2006 | 6,749,318 | 8,800,000 | 76.7 | |||||||
| 2005 | 8,180,353 | 8,800,000 | 93.0 | 10/10/2005 | ||||||
| 2004 | 8,877,842 | 8,800,000 | 100.9 | 11/15/2004 | ||||||
*Shallow water grouper are managed under a stock ACL, meaning both commercial and recreational landings contribute towards total landings. Please see the stock page for additional information. During 2004-2009, the SWG quota was comprised of gag, red grouper, yellowmouth grouper, yellowfin grouper, red hind, rock hind, black grouper, and scamp. Beginning in 2010, gag and red grouper were removed.
North Atlantic right whale mom and calf, Photo credit: Blue World Research Institute
Recreational angler holding red snapper. Credit: Fish and Wildlife Research Institute.
