Grouper Quota on Hold: Fishermen Wait for Deep-Water Rules
Published Date: 12/23/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting January 1, 2026, commercial fishers in the Gulf of America who catch deep-water groupers will see a temporary holdback on part of their fishing quota. This pause is to prepare for new rules that aim to protect yellowedge grouper by reducing the total amount allowed to be caught. The holdback lasts until June 1, 2026, and helps prevent overfishing while keeping the fishery healthy and sustainable.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Planned Cut to DWG ACL and Quota
If Amendment 58B is approved and implemented no later than June 1, 2026, the commercial deep-water grouper (DWG) annual catch limit (ACL) would drop from 1,070,000 lb to 498,358 lb, and the commercial quota would drop from 1,024,000 lb to 478,424 lb. These lower limits would reduce the total pounds available to the commercial sector starting when the amendment becomes effective.
Temporary Jan–Jun 2026 Quota Holdback
If you are a commercial fisher who holds shares in the Groupers and Tilefishes IFQ (GT-IFQ) program, NMFS will withhold part of your deep-water grouper (DWG) allocation starting January 1, 2026 and held until June 1, 2026. The withheld amount equals the anticipated quota reduction; if Amendment 58B is not implemented by June 1, 2026, NMFS will return the withheld allocation to shareholders based on shares held on the date of return.
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