Gag Grouper Fishing Halted: South Atlantic Hits Annual Catch Limit
Published Date: 12/1/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting December 1, 2025, commercial fishing for gag grouper in the South Atlantic will be closed because fishermen are about to hit the yearly catch limit. This temporary shutdown helps protect the gag population from overfishing and lasts until the end of the year. Both commercial and recreational fishers need to follow these rules to keep the fishery healthy and sustainable.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Commercial gag fishery closed December 2025
If you fish commercially for gag (gag grouper) in the South Atlantic, commercial harvest in Federal waters is closed from December 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, because commercial landings are projected to reach the 2025 commercial annual catch limit of 171,687 lb (77,876 kg). You may not commercially harvest gag in South Atlantic Federal waters during this period.
Harvest, possession, and sales banned during closure
During the commercial closure (December 1–31, 2025), gag may not be harvested or possessed in or from South Atlantic Federal waters, and the sale or purchase of gag from the South Atlantic is prohibited. These prohibitions also apply to persons on vessels with Federal commercial or charter/headboat permits for South Atlantic snapper-grouper.
Recreational gag harvest already closed in 2025
If you fish for gag recreationally in the South Atlantic, recreational harvest of gag has been closed since June 26, 2025, and remains closed through December 31, 2025. You may not harvest or possess gag from South Atlantic Federal waters during that period.
Cold-storage sales exemption for pre-closure catch
The prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to gag that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold before December 1, 2025, and that are held in cold storage by a dealer or processor. Also, a vessel operator with gag on board must have landed and bartered, traded, or sold those gag before December 1, 2025.
2026 season reopens May 1 with larger quota
The commercial harvest season for South Atlantic gag reopens on May 1, 2026, and the commercial annual catch limit for 2026 is set at 215,051 lb (97,545 kg). Commercial harvesters may resume legal gag fishing in Federal waters starting May 1, 2026, subject to the 2026 quota.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-14204, Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; Delay of Effective Date
NOAA is giving everyone more time before the rule that bans grappling or anchoring on Lake Ontario shipwrecks kicks in. Instead of starting in July 2026, this rule is now delayed until September 2028 to let NOAA set up mooring buoys and work with divers and boaters. This means boaters and commercial vessels can keep anchoring safely while NOAA gets everything ready without rushing.
2026-14195, Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are wiping away the official definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act starting September 14, 2026. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered plants and animals by shifting how “harm” is understood and enforced. It’s a big move that could change how projects and protections are handled, but no new costs or deadlines are added right now.
2026-07536, Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys in the Gulf of America
Starting April 20, 2026, NOAA is setting new rules for companies doing geophysical surveys in the Gulf of America to protect marine mammals. These rules let companies get permission to accidentally disturb marine mammals but require them to minimize harm and report what they find. This plan lasts five years and helps balance ocean research with saving sea life.
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.
2026-20268, New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council is holding a public meeting on October 16, 2026, to discuss important fishery rules that affect fishermen and communities in New England’s waters. They’ll review advice from experts about protecting fish species and plan meetings for next year. This meeting could lead to new fishing rules that impact how and when people fish, helping keep the ocean healthy and fishing sustainable.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-21626, Regulatory Capital Rule: Modifications to the Enhanced Supplementary Leverage Ratio Standards for U.S. Global Systemically Important Bank Holding Companies and Their Subsidiary Depository Institutions; Total Loss-Absorbing Capacity and Long-Term Debt Requirements for U.S. Global Systemically Important Bank Holding Companies
Big U.S. banks that are super important to the economy are getting new rules to keep them safer and stronger. These changes tweak how much money they must keep on hand and how they handle long-term debt, helping prevent financial trouble. The new rules kick in soon and could affect how these banks manage billions in assets and debt.
Next: 2025-21649, Estate Tax Closing Letter User Fee Update
Starting December 31, 2025, the IRS is lowering the fee for getting an estate tax closing letter from $67 to $56. This change affects anyone who requests this important IRS letter after handling an estate tax. It’s a small price drop that makes closing out estate taxes a bit easier on the wallet!