The Gulf Council will meet at the Hyatt Centric French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. The three-day Council meeting will be held from January 26 - 28, 2026.
Public comment will be held on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 9:15 AM – 12:30 PM CST. The Council welcomes public comment from both in-person and virtual participants. Instructions on how to join both sessions and provide comment will be located on the meetings materials webpage as soon as it's available.
During this meeting, the Council plans to take final action on two issues. First, Reef Fish Amendment 62 which considers increasing red grouper catch limits based on the results of a recent stock assessment. Second, Reef Fish Amendment 58A which considers splitting the shallow-water grouper complex into two separate complexes to address the results of a scamp and yellowmouth stock assessment. Catch limit recommendations for scamp and yellowmouth grouper represent a considerable decrease in allowable harvest, while catch limit recommendations for black grouper and yellowfin grouper remain unchanged.
The Council also plans to review its proposed 2026 activities and budget; continue work on developing an electronic reporting program for federally permitted for-hire vessels; discuss a mandatory recreational reporting program for deep-water grouper; consider regional management of greater amberjack; and discuss recreational management priorities.
Register for the webinar here.
Full Committee and Council Agendas and meeting materials will be posted as they become available.