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.
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: 2025-23746, 2026-2028 Enterprise Housing Goals
Starting February 23, 2026, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have new housing goals for 2026-2028 that focus on helping more low-income families find affordable homes. The rules simplify how goals are measured, combine some targets into one, and update penalties for missing goals. These changes aim to make affordable housing easier to finance while keeping the system strong and fair.
Next: 2025-23749, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Adjustments to the 2025 North Atlantic Albacore Tuna, North and South Atlantic Swordfish, and Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Category Quotas
In 2025, the U.S. is tweaking fishing limits for North Atlantic albacore tuna, swordfish, and Atlantic bluefin tuna based on last year’s catch results and international agreements. Some quotas are going up because fish weren’t caught, while others are going down due to overfishing in 2024. These changes affect fishermen through the end of 2025, with full quotas resetting in 2026 and more updates coming soon.