NOAA Proposes New Limits on Gulf Grouper Fishing Seasons
Published Date: 5/6/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
Fishermen and fish lovers in the Gulf of America, listen up! Amendment 58B proposes new rules to update how much deep-water grouper can be caught, including setting clear limits for recreational fishers and adjusting how the catch is shared between groups. Comments are open until June 5, 2026, so now’s the time to weigh in before these changes could impact fishing seasons and catches.
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Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 4 costs, 3 mixed.
Big Cuts to Catch Limits
If you run a commercial fishing business that harvests deep-water grouper (DWG) in the Gulf, the total complex ACL is proposed to be cut from 1,105,000 lb to 555,026 lb. The proposed commercial ACL would fall from 1,070,000 lb to 498,000 lb and the commercial quota would be reduced from 1,024,000 lb to 478,000 lb (all gutted weight).
Average Vessel Revenue and Profit Drop
NMFS estimates the average commercial vessel that lands DWG would see an annual ex-vessel revenue decrease of $9,172 and an economic profit decrease of $3,669 under the proposed allocation and quota changes. The document states this represents about a 3 percent reduction in average annual ex-vessel revenue and profits for those vessels.
New Recreational Catch Limit Set
If you fish for deep-water grouper for fun (recreationally), a new recreational ACL of 56,668 lb (gutted weight) would be set for the DWG complex. The rule establishes this specific recreational ACL (10.21 percent of the complex ACL) where previously no recreational ACL was specified.
Recreational Season May Be Shortened
The recreational accountability measure would change to use moving 3-year averages: if the 3-year average recreational landings exceed the 3-year average recreational ACL and the 3-year average total landings exceed the 3-year average complex ACL, NMFS may shorten the next recreational fishing season. The rule also allows NMFS to decide not to shorten the season if the best scientific information indicates it is unnecessary.
Sector Allocation Shifts to Favor Commercial
The proposed allocation would change the split of the complex ACL so commercial receives 89.79 percent and recreational receives 10.21 percent based on 2019–2023 recreational landings. Previously the commercial allocation was based on 2001–2004 data (96.50 percent).
New stock reference levels (MSY, OFL, ABC)
Amendment 58B would change the DWG stock reference points: the MSY proxy would be set to fishing at an F that produces 40% SPR (F40%SPR), the OFL would be 731,035 lb, and the ABC would be 555,026 lb (gutted weight). The complex ACL would be set equal to the ABC.
IFQ Allocation and Share-Price Effects
The proposed lower commercial quota would make DWG IFQ allocation scarcer and NMFS notes this may raise allocation transfer prices and could change IFQ share values. These price effects are not quantified in the document but are described as possible consequences of a reduced fixed supply of allocation.
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