Request for Comments: Proposed Rule for Amendment 58B to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan: Modifications to Gulf of America (Gulf) Deep-Water Grouper (DWG) Management Measures

Key Message:

NOAA Fisheries requests your comments on a proposed rule that would implement management measures in Amendment 58B to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf. Amendment 58B would reduce catch limits and modify sector allocations for the Gulf DWG complex. The Gulf DWG complex consists of yellowedge grouper, snowy grouper, warsaw grouper, and speckled hind. The proposed changes are based on recommendations of the Gulf Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee. The proposed rule would:

• Reduce the DWG commercial annual catch limit (ACL) and commercial quota, and would set a recreational ACL for the DWG complex.

  • The DWG catch limits would be as follows:

• Revise the DWG complex recreational accountability measures. If the average recreational DWG landings over a three-year period exceed the average recreational ACL and the average DWG complex landings exceed the average DWG complex ACL, NOAA Fisheries would reduce the duration of the recreational season by the amount projected to prevent the recreational ACL from being exceeded in the following fishing year.

How to Comment on the Proposed Rule:

The comment period for the proposed rule is open now through June 5, 2027. Comments on both the proposed rule and the amendment (the comment period for the Amendment's Notice of Availability ended May 4, 2026) will be considered in the final rule. You may submit comments by electronic submission or by postal mail. Comments sent by any other method (such as e-mail), to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NOAA Fisheries.

Formal Federal Regist er Name/Number: 91 FR 24500 , published May 6, 2026.

Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.

1. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/document/NOAA-NMFS-2026-0661-0010

2. Click the "Comment" icon, complete the required fields.

3. Enter or attach your comments.

Mail: Submit written comments to Dan Luers, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

What is NOAA Fisheries announcing today?

• NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on a proposed rule to implement measures contained in Amendment 58B which would:
  • Modify Gulf of America DWG catch limits.
  • Modify accountability measures for the DWG recreational sector.

What is the "Deep-Water Grouper" complex?

• The DWG complex is composed of four grouper species: yellowedge grouper, snowy grouper, warsaw grouper, and speckled hind.
• This complex was formed based on the depth at which these species were generally caught, and whether it was common for these species to be caught on the same fishing trips.

• NOAA Fisheries manages DWG as a complex. Catch limits and management measures are set for the complex of four species, rather than for each species individually.

What actions are being taken in Amendment 58B that aren't in this proposed rule?

• In addition to the actions being proposed here, Amendment 58B would:
  • Revise the status determination criteria for the DWG complex.
  • Set the overfishing limit (731,035 lb gw), acceptable biological catch (ABC; 555,026 lb gw), and complex ACL (set equal to the ABC) for yellowedge grouper and the three remaining species combined, and all four species would be managed as a single complex. The complex annual catch limits would be set equal to the ABC.
  • Modify sector allocations and establish a recreational ACL based on the average recreational landings from the most recent 5 years (2019 - 2023).
    • The recreational sector would be allocated 10.21% of the complex ACL.

  • The commercial sector would be allocated approximately 89.79% of the complex ACL. The commercial quota would be reduced from the commercial ACL by 4% to allow for the established IFQ flexibility measures.

Why is NOAA Fisheries taking these actions?

• The most recent stock assessment of Gulf yellowedge grouper found that this species was being overfished (too many fish being harvested), and that reductions in harvest were necessary to sustainably manage this species.
• The management measures in this amendment are expected to reduce harvest of DWG species, and are expected to end overfishing of yellowedge grouper.

Where can I find more information on Amendment 58B?

• Contact NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

By Mail: Daniel Luers

NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

Sustainable Fisheries Division

263 13th Avenue South

St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505

By FAX: (727) 824-5308

By Phone: (727) 824-5305

Sign Up For Text Message Alerts - Find Out About Immediate Openings and Closures

NOAA's Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery-related alerts via text message (SMS). Standard message & data rates may apply. You may opt out at any time.

Text alerts you may receive include:

• Immediate fishery openings and closures
• Any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly

Sign up for one or more of the following groups:

• Gulf Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
• Gulf Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text GULFCOMMFISH to 888777
• South Atlantic Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text SATLRECFISH to 888777
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  • Text SATLCOMMFISH to 888777
• Caribbean Fisheries-Related Alerts

Quick Glance Contact List for the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office

Permits Mailbox: The Permits Office in St. Petersburg, Florida, now has a Permits mailbox in the front lobby (263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701). You can now drop off original permits for permit transfers. Envelopes with information labels will be provided so that your documents can be attached to the correct application. The mailbox will be checked daily. For more information, contact the Permits Office at 877-376-4877.

Other contacts:

Media: Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750

Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan, 727-385-5202