Request for Comments on Amendment 62: Modifications to Gulf of America Red Grouper Management Measures

Key Message:

NOAA Fisheries requests your comments on Amendment 62 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf to modify red grouper management measures. The proposed changes are based on recommendations of the Gulf Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee. Amendment 62 would:

• Revise the status determination criteria for red grouper.
• Set the overfishing limit (OFL) and acceptable biological catch (ABC) for red grouper. The total annual catch limit (ACL) would be set at 80% of the ABC in 2026, 90% of the ABC in 2027, and equal to the ABC in 2028 and subsequent years.
• Modify sector ACLs, the commercial quota, and the recreational annual catch target (ACT) and revise sector allocations based on the same reference period used to set current sector allocations (1986-2005), except replacing Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP)-Fishing Effort Survey (FES) data estimates for private recreational vessel harvest with estimates generated by the Florida State Reef Fish Survey (SRFS). As a result of this transition from MRIP-FES to SRFS:
  • The recreational sector would be allocated 31.8% of the total ACL. The recreational ACT would continue to be reduced by 9% from the recreational ACL.

  • The commercial sector would be allocated 68.2% of the total ACL. The commercial quota would continue to be reduced from the commercial ACL by 5% to allow for the established red grouper multi-use provision.

Catch limits for Gulf red grouper. All weights are in millions of pounds, gutted weight.

• Remove the February 1 - March 31 recreational seasonal closure for shallow-water grouper species in federal waters seaward of the 20-fathom boundary. Gulf shallow-water grouper species include red grouper, gag, scamp, yellowmouth grouper, black grouper, and yellowfin grouper.

How to Comment on the Proposed Rule:

The comment period for the notice of availability is open now through June 01, 2026. The comment period on the proposed rule is expected to fall within this same timeframe, and comments on both the amendment and proposed rule will be considered when deciding whether to approve the amendment and when finalizing the rulemaking. 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 16623 , published April 2, 2026.

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

1. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/document/NOAA-NMFS-2026-0991-0001

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 Amendment 62 which would:
  • Modify Gulf of America red grouper catch limits and sector allocations
  • Remove the recreational February-March shallow-water grouper seasonal closure in federal waters seaward of the 20-fathom boundary.

Why is NOAA Fisheries taking these actions?

• The most recent stock assessment of Gulf red grouper found that catch limits could be increased substantially without harm to the stock.
• Removal of the February-March closure is expected to allow greater access to the red grouper resource for recreational fishermen.
• The management measures in this amendment are expected to promote optimum yield of Gulf red grouper.

What are "shallow-water grouper"?

• Shallow-water grouper are a complex of six grouper species: red grouper, gag, black grouper, yellowmouth grouper, scamp, and yellowfin grouper.
  • This grouping is based on the depth at which these species are generally caught, and whether it is common for these species to be caught on the same fishing trips.

  • NOAA Fisheries manages red grouper and gag as individual species. The four remaining species are managed together under the Other Shallow-Water Grouper complex. Catch limits and management measures are set for the complex of four species, rather than for each species individually.

Where can I find more information on Amendment 62?

• 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
• South Atlantic Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
  • 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