The Gulf Council will hold three in-person hearings (one in Louisiana) and one webinar to gather public comments on Draft Reef Fish Amendment 58A: Modifications to Shallow-Water Grouper Management Measures.
The Other Shallow-Water Grouper complex includes scamp, Yellowmouth Grouper, Yellowfin Grouper, and Black Grouper. The complex can no longer be managed together because a stock assessment and catch recommendations were completed for scamp and Yellowmouth Grouper, separate from the remaining species. 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 is considering splitting the complex and setting catch limits and management measures for the new complexes. The Council is also considering removing the seasonal recreational closure of shallow-water grouper beyond 20-fathoms.
Details on proposed changes can be found here.
The public hearings will begin at 6:00 PM and conclude no later than 9:00 PM, local time. Dates and locations are as follows:
In-Person Louisiana Hearings
Lafayette, Louisiana
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Large Conference Room #2039
200 Dulles Drive
Lafayette, LA 70508
Virtual Hearing
6:00 PM EST
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Register Here