No More Grouper Winter Break: Fishers Rejoice!
Published Date: 10/6/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting October 2, 2026, new rules change how much red grouper fishermen in the Gulf of America can catch and how the catch is shared. Plus, the winter break for catching shallow-water grouper is gone, so anglers get more fishing days. These updates help keep fish healthy while giving fishermen and fish lovers better chances to enjoy the Gulf’s reef fishery.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Commercial red grouper quota rises
Commercial red grouper catch limits (ACL) and the IFQ quota increase. The commercial ACL rises from 2.94 million lb to 4.51 million lb for 2026, 5.08 million lb for 2027, and 5.65 million lb for 2028 and subsequent years. The commercial quota rises from 2.79 million lb to 4.28 million lb for 2026, 4.83 million lb for 2027, and 5.37 million lb for 2028 and subsequent years.
Amendment 62 updates sector allocation split
Amendment 62 updates the commercial-recreational allocation of the total ACL for red grouper to 68.2 percent commercial and 31.8 percent recreational based on SRFS data. The document states this allocation update is part of Amendment 62 (these allocation changes are described in Amendment 62 and not codified by this final rule).
Stock reference points and total catch phase-in raised
Amendment 62 revises the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) proxy to yield at F40SPR, sets the overfishing limit (OFL) at 10.64 million lb and the acceptable biological catch (ABC) at 8.28 million lb, and phases in total ACLs of 6.62 million lb for 2026 (80% of ABC), 7.45 million lb for 2027 (90% of ABC), and 8.28 million lb for 2028 and subsequent years (100% of ABC). These measures are included in Amendment 62 and are described in the rule as not being codified by this final rule.
Recreational red grouper limits increase
Recreational red grouper catch limits and targets increase, giving recreational anglers and for-hire operators more opportunity. The recreational ACL increases from 2.02 million lb to 2.11 million lb for 2026, 2.37 million lb for 2027, and 2.63 million lb for 2028 and subsequent years; the recreational ACT increases to 1.92 million lb for 2026, 2.16 million lb for 2027, and 2.39 million lb for 2028 and subsequent years.
Winter closure for shallow-water grouper removed
The recreational seasonal closure for shallow-water grouper (SWG) from February 1 through March 31 in Gulf Federal waters seaward of the 20-fathom boundary is eliminated, allowing recreational harvest of red grouper during that period. This change is effective under the final rule (effective October 2, 2026) and, beginning January 1, 2027, red grouper will be the only SWG species affected by this removal because other SWG species have separate closures.
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Key Dates
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