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 increases red grouper catch limits and modifies management measures. The rule is effective as of October 2, 2026.
What the Rule Does
- Increases the Gulf red grouper annual catch limits (ACL) for the commercial and recreational sectors, and sets 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.
- Removes 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 (millions of pounds, gutted weight)
- 2026: OFL 10.63, ABC 8.28, Total ACL 6.62, Recreational ACL 2.11, Recreational ACT 1.92, Commercial ACL 4.51, Commercial Quota 4.28
- 2027: ABC 7.45, Total ACL not listed, Recreational ACL 2.37, Recreational ACT 2.16, Commercial ACL 5.08, Commercial Quota 4.83
- 2028+: ABC 8.28, Recreational ACL 2.63, Recreational ACT 2.39, Commercial ACL 5.65, Commercial Quota 5.37
Additional Management Measures
- Revises the status determination criteria for red grouper.
- Sets the overfishing limit and acceptable biological catch for red grouper.
- Revises 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, and the commercial sector will be allocated 68.2% of the total ACL.
Frequently Asked Questions
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?
The amendment can be found online at the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office website.