New Catch Limits Set for Scamp and Yellowmouth Grouper
Published Date: 6/4/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting July 6, 2026, new rules will help protect scamp and yellowmouth grouper by setting catch limits and creating a rebuilding plan. Fishermen and seafood businesses in the South Atlantic will see changes to how these fish are managed to keep stocks healthy and fishing sustainable. These updates aim to balance good fishing with protecting the fish and the people who rely on them.
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 7 costs, 1 mixed.
New Scamp & Yellowmouth ACLs
Beginning with the 2025 fishing year, the scamp and yellowmouth grouper complex total ACLs are set at specific levels: 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 fishing years. These total catch caps limit how much can be commercially and recreationally harvested to rebuild the stock.
Commercial Sector ACLs Set
The commercial ACLs for the scamp and yellowmouth complex are set each year as follows: 43,772 lb for 2025; 46,147 lb for 2026; 47,572 lb for 2027; 48,997 lb for 2028; and 49,947 lb for 2029 and subsequent years. Commercial allocation percentage declines from 64.90% (2025) to 62.59% (2029+).
10-Year Rebuilding Plan Adopted
Amendment 55 establishes a 10-year rebuilding plan for the scamp and yellowmouth grouper complex beginning in 2025, the longest allowable rebuilding timeframe under the Magnuson-Stevens Act in typical cases. The plan also sets an optimum yield (OY) at 95% of MSY, with OY = 353,670 lb and MSY = 372,280 lb.
Recreational Sector ACLs Increased
Recreational ACLs for the scamp and yellowmouth complex are set at 23,678 lb for 2025; 26,053 lb for 2026; 27,478 lb for 2027; 28,903 lb for 2028; and 29,853 lb for 2029 and subsequent years. Recreational allocation percentage increases from 35.10% (2025) to 37.41% (2029+).
Recreational Bag Limit Cut to One
The recreational bag limit for the scamp and yellowmouth complex is reduced from three fish per person per day to an aggregate of one fish (either scamp or yellowmouth) per person per day within the overall three-fish grouper and tilefish combined bag limit. This limit applies to recreational anglers and for-hire (charter/headboat) customers.
Commercial Trip Limit: 300 lb
This rule establishes an aggregate commercial trip limit for scamp and yellowmouth grouper of 300 lb (136 kg), gutted weight, per trip. Previously there was no commercial trip limit for these species.
Commercial Accountability Measures (AMs)
If combined commercial landings for scamp and yellowmouth reach or are projected to reach the commercial ACL, NMFS will implement an in-season commercial closure for the remainder of the fishing year. If commercial landings exceed the commercial ACL, the following year's commercial ACL will be reduced by the amount of the overage (post-season payback).
Recreational Accountability Measure: Season Cut
If combined recreational landings for scamp and yellowmouth exceed the recreational ACL, the length of the following year's recreational fishing season for the complex will be reduced by the amount necessary to prevent exceeding the ACL. Recreational landings monitoring is post-season, so this is a post-season adjustment.
Other SASWG Complex ACLs Revised
After removing yellowmouth grouper, the reorganized other South Atlantic shallow water grouper (SASWG) complex total ACL is set at 100,151 lb (47,260 kg ABC unchanged), with a commercial ACL of 53,380 lb and a recreational ACL of 46,771 lb. Sector allocation percentages remain 1.35% commercial and 98.65% recreational.
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