# 2026-12175: Gulf of America Gets New Grouper Fishing Limits

2026-12175, Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of America; Shallow-Water Grouper Management Measures, is a Federal Register rule from Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published 2026-06-17, effective 2027-01-01; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-24).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12175
- As of: 2026-06-24
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-12175
- Title: Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of America; Shallow-Water Grouper Management Measures
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Commerce Department; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 36545
- Published: 2026-06-17
- Effective: 2027-01-01
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 0648-BN84
- Last updated: 2026-06-24

## In one line

Gulf of America Gets New Grouper Fishing Limits

## Summary

Starting January 1, 2027, new rules will limit how much shallow-water grouper fish can be caught in the Gulf of America, especially scamp and yellowmouth grouper. These changes affect both commercial and recreational fishers by setting lower catch limits and a fixed closed season for recreational fishing to help protect these fish while more long-term plans are developed. The goal is to keep grouper populations healthy and fishing fun for years to come.

## Abstract

NMFS issues regulations to implement management measures described in a framework action under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf (FMP), as prepared by the Gulf Council (Council). This final rule modifies the Gulf of America (Gulf) Other Shallow-Water Grouper (SWG) complex catch limits and sets a recreational fixed-closed season for Gulf Other SWG. The purpose of this final rule is to reduce harvest of Gulf scamp and yellowmouth grouper while the Council develops Amendment 58A to the FMP (Amendment 58A), which considers additional Other SWG management measures.

## Effects PRIA read

- Commercial catch limits cut sharply: cost, low. If you fish commercially for shallow-water groupers in the Gulf, the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) is reduced to 255,000 lb (115,666 kg) and the commercial quota (annual catch target) is reduced to 245,000 lb (111,130 kg). These new commercial limits take effect January 1, 2027 to align with…
- Recreational season closed half the year: cost, high. If you fish recreationally for Other shallow-water grouper in the Gulf, recreational harvest is prohibited from January 1 through June 30 each year and the open season is July 1 through December 31 each year. During the January–June closure, bag and possession limits for Other SWG in or from the Gu…

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## Sources
- [2026-12175 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/17/2026-12175/reef-fish-fishery-of-the-gulf-of-america-shallow-water-grouper-management-measures)
- [2026-12175 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-06-17/pdf/2026-12175.pdf)

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Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-12175 (as of 2026-06-24).