New Rules to Save Scamp Grouper: Fishermen, Take Note!
Published Date: 3/17/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
Amendment 55 aims to protect and rebuild scamp and yellowmouth grouper in the South Atlantic by creating new fishing rules and catch limits. Fishermen and communities depending on these fish will see changes to how much they can catch, helping fish populations bounce back while keeping fishing fair. Comments on these changes are open until May 16, 2025, so now’s the time to speak up!
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 8 costs, 0 mixed.
New total ACLs set for 2025–2029+
Amendment 55 would set the scamp and yellowmouth grouper total acceptable biological catch (ABC) and total annual catch limit (ACL) equal to: 67,450 lb for 2025; 72,200 lb for 2026; 75,050 lb for 2027; 77,900 lb for 2028; and 79,800 lb for 2029 and subsequent years. These poundage limits constrain total allowed harvest for the complex during those years.
New commercial and recreational ACLs by year
Amendment 55 would set annual sector ACLs for the new scamp and yellowmouth complex as follows. Commercial ACLs: 43,772 lb (2025); 46,147 lb (2026); 47,572 lb (2027); 48,997 lb (2028); 49,947 lb (2029+). Recreational ACLs: 23,678 lb (2025); 26,053 lb (2026); 27,478 lb (2027); 28,903 lb (2028); 29,853 lb (2029+). Allocation percentages would range roughly 64.90%–62.59% commercial and 35.10%–37.41% recreational through 2029.
Commercial closures and payback overages
Amendment 55 would add commercial accountability measures: an in-season closure for the remainder of the fishing year if commercial landings reach or are projected to reach the commercial ACL, and a post-season payback where the following year's commercial ACL is reduced by any amount the commercial sector exceeded its ACL in the prior year.
10-year rebuilding plan starts 2025
Amendment 55 would start a 10-year rebuilding plan for the scamp and yellowmouth grouper stock complex beginning in 2025, the maximum rebuilding timeframe allowed by law. This plan guides reductions in allowable catch and management measures intended to rebuild the stock by the end of the 10-year period.
Commercial trip limit set at 300 lb
Amendment 55 would create an aggregate commercial trip limit of 300 lb (136 kg), gutted weight, for scamp and yellowmouth grouper combined. This trip limit would restrict how much of these species a commercial vessel may retain on a single trip.
Recreational season reduction if ACL exceeded
Amendment 55 would add a recreational post-season accountability measure: if recreational landings for scamp and yellowmouth grouper exceed the recreational ACL, the next year's recreational season for the complex would be shortened by the amount needed to keep landings within the ACL. This is a post-season adjustment, not an in-season closure.
Other SASWG complex ACLs revised
Amendment 55 would remove yellowmouth grouper from the other South Atlantic shallow water grouper (other SASWG) complex and set the reorganized other SASWG total ACL at 100,151 lb (45,428 kg). The commercial ACL would be 53,380 lb (24,213 kg) and the recreational ACL would be 46,771 lb (21,215 kg). Sector allocations would remain 1.35% commercial and 98.65% recreational.
Recreational bag limit cut to one fish
The recreational bag limit for scamp and yellowmouth grouper would change from up to three fish per person per day (for each species) to an aggregate limit of one fish (either scamp or yellowmouth combined) per person per day, within the existing three-fish grouper and tilefish combined limit. This new one-fish aggregate limit applies immediately if implemented.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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