2025-21628RuleWallet

Gag Grouper Fishing Halted: South Atlantic Hits Annual Catch Limit

Published Date: 12/1/2025

Rule

Summary

Starting December 1, 2025, commercial fishing for gag grouper in the South Atlantic will be closed because fishermen are about to hit the yearly catch limit. This temporary shutdown helps protect the gag population from overfishing and lasts until the end of the year. Both commercial and recreational fishers need to follow these rules to keep the fishery healthy and sustainable.

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.

Commercial gag fishery closed December 2025

If you fish commercially for gag (gag grouper) in the South Atlantic, commercial harvest in Federal waters is closed from December 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, because commercial landings are projected to reach the 2025 commercial annual catch limit of 171,687 lb (77,876 kg). You may not commercially harvest gag in South Atlantic Federal waters during this period.

Harvest, possession, and sales banned during closure

During the commercial closure (December 1–31, 2025), gag may not be harvested or possessed in or from South Atlantic Federal waters, and the sale or purchase of gag from the South Atlantic is prohibited. These prohibitions also apply to persons on vessels with Federal commercial or charter/headboat permits for South Atlantic snapper-grouper.

Recreational gag harvest already closed in 2025

If you fish for gag recreationally in the South Atlantic, recreational harvest of gag has been closed since June 26, 2025, and remains closed through December 31, 2025. You may not harvest or possess gag from South Atlantic Federal waters during that period.

Cold-storage sales exemption for pre-closure catch

The prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to gag that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold before December 1, 2025, and that are held in cold storage by a dealer or processor. Also, a vessel operator with gag on board must have landed and bartered, traded, or sold those gag before December 1, 2025.

2026 season reopens May 1 with larger quota

The commercial harvest season for South Atlantic gag reopens on May 1, 2026, and the commercial annual catch limit for 2026 is set at 215,051 lb (97,545 kg). Commercial harvesters may resume legal gag fishing in Federal waters starting May 1, 2026, subject to the 2026 quota.

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Key Dates

Published Date
Rule Effective
12/1/2025
12/1/2025

Department and Agencies

Department
Independent Agency
Agency
Commerce Department
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
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