South Atlantic Grouper Catch Limits Get Protection Plan
Published Date: 8/25/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
Fishermen and seafood lovers in the South Atlantic, heads up! New rules are coming to better protect scamp and yellowmouth grouper by setting catch limits and rebuilding their populations. These changes start soon and aim to keep fishing fun and fair while helping grouper numbers bounce back without hurting local communities.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
New scamp & yellowmouth grouper complex
The rule would remove yellowmouth grouper from the 'other South Atlantic shallow water grouper' group and create a new scamp and yellowmouth grouper complex. If you fish in the South Atlantic, this changes which species are managed together and which rules will apply to your catch.
New management rules for scamp & yellowmouth
The rule would set catch levels, sector management measures, and accountability measures for the new scamp and yellowmouth grouper complex, and would put in place a rebuilding plan, sector allocations, and status determination criteria. If you fish these species in the South Atlantic, these new rules would determine how much can be caught and how sectors are allocated and monitored.
Catch levels set for revised SASWG complex
The rule would establish catch levels for the revised 'other South Atlantic shallow water grouper' complex after yellowmouth grouper is removed. If you target species in that revised group in the South Atlantic, the total allowable catch for that group will be defined under the new rule.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-05599 — Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Hearings
NOAA got two applications from companies wanting to explore mining deep under the ocean floor. They’re holding virtual public meetings in April and want your thoughts by May 22, 2026. This affects anyone interested in ocean mining and how we protect our seas while exploring new resources.
2026-04256 — Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Starting April 3, 2026, new rules change shark fishing zones and times in the Atlantic to better protect sharks and manage fishing risks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear will see updated area boundaries and must pay for electronic monitoring if fishing in certain safer zones. These changes help keep shark populations healthy while supporting responsible fishing.
2026-10260 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Regional Coastal Observing Systems (RCOS)
NOAA is asking for approval to keep collecting info from 11 groups involved in Regional Coastal Observing Systems. They’re updating the program’s name and cutting down the paperwork time, but the info they collect stays the same. This helps improve ocean safety, protect the environment, and boost the economy, with a small time commitment of about 75 hours per response.
2026-10318 — New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council is holding a public meeting on June 8, 2026, to discuss fishing rules for Atlantic herring and river herring and shad for 2027-2031. Fishermen, environmental groups, and local communities will be affected by these decisions, which could change how much fish can be caught and help protect fish populations. The meeting is open to the public and will be held both in Portsmouth, NH, and online.
2026-10322 — Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
The government is reviewing a special fishing permit request that would let certain boats fish in areas usually off-limits to protect habitats. This permit supports a project by the Coonamessett Farm Foundation to use clam dredges in the Great South Channel Habitat Management Area. People have until June 8, 2026, to share their thoughts, and this could change how some fishing rules apply, but no new fees are mentioned.
2026-10317 — Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Closure of the Angling Category Gulf of America Trophy Fishery for 2026
Starting May 21, 2026, the Gulf of America trophy fishery for big Atlantic bluefin tuna is closed for the rest of the year. This affects recreational anglers and charter boats with special permits, stopping them from catching or keeping these giant tunas. The closure helps protect the tuna population and follows international fishing rules.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-16240 — Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking To Establish a Control Date for the Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, and Bluefish Recreational For-Hire Fisheries
If you run or love riding on fishing boats for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, or bluefish in the Northeast, heads up! Officials are thinking about new rules that might limit who can join these fun fishing trips. They set a control date now to keep things fair and stop people from jumping in just before changes happen.
Next: 2025-16263 — Airworthiness Directives; DAHER AEROSPACE (Type Certificate Previously Held by SOCATA) Airplanes
If you own a SOCATA (now DAHER AEROSPACE) TBM 700 airplane, the FAA wants you to keep checking the vertical stabilizer bolts for cracks or rust like before. But now, there’s a new option to replace those parts with stronger, rust-resistant ones to stop the inspections early. This update keeps your plane safe without adding big costs or tight deadlines.