Gulf Grouper Fishing Gets Longer Seasons and New Limits
Published Date: 4/2/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
Amendment 62 is shaking up the Gulf of America’s red grouper fishing rules by changing catch limits and who gets what share. Plus, it’s ending the February-March fishing break for shallow-water groupers beyond the 20-fathom line, so anglers get more time to fish. If you’re a fisherman or love Gulf seafood, keep an eye out—comments close June 1, 2026, and these changes could impact your catch and the fish market soon!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Commercial Red Grouper Quota Jump
If you are a commercial Gulf red grouper fisherman or hold IFQ shares, your commercial ACL would rise from 2.94 million lb to 4.51 million lb in 2026, then to 5.08 million lb in 2027, and to 5.65 million lb in 2028 and subsequent years. The commercial quota increases from 2.79 million lb to 4.28 million lb in 2026, 4.83 million lb in 2027, and 5.37 million lb in 2028 and subsequent years.
Allocation Shift Favors Commercial
Amendment 62 would change the sector allocation for Gulf red grouper from the current 59.3% commercial / 40.7% recreational to 68.2% commercial and 31.8% recreational based on 1986–2005 reference years using SRFS recreational estimates. This formally reallocates a larger share of the ACL to the commercial sector.
Recreational Catch Limits Rise
If you fish for red grouper recreationally in the Gulf, the recreational ACL would increase from 2.02 million lb to 2.11 million lb in 2026, 2.37 million lb in 2027, and 2.63 million lb in 2028 and subsequent years. The recreational ACT would increase from 1.84 million lb to 1.92 million lb in 2026, 2.16 million lb in 2027, and 2.39 million lb in 2028 and subsequent years.
Recreational Closure Removed Feb–Mar
If you fish recreationally in Gulf Federal waters seaward of the 20-fathom boundary, the current closed season for shallow-water grouper (February 1 through March 31) would be removed. That means anglers would be allowed to fish for shallow-water grouper in those waters during February and March if the amendment is approved and implemented.
Science Update: MSY, OFL, and ABC Rise
The management reference points for Gulf red grouper would change: the MSY proxy would be defined at F40%SPR, the OFL would be set at 10.64 million lb (4.83 million kg), and the ABC at 8.28 million lb (3.76 million kg). Total ACLs would be phased in as 6.62 million lb in 2026 (80% of ABC), 7.45 million lb in 2027 (90% of ABC), and 8.28 million lb in 2028 and subsequent years (100% of ABC).
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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