Keith Lusher 02.03.26
Anglers and commercial fishermen in the Gulf of America could soon see expanded grouper fishing opportunities following recent action by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.
The council has approved final action on Reef Fish Amendment 62, a management change that would increase red grouper catch limits and eliminate the long-standing February 1 through March 31 recreational shallow-water grouper closure beyond 20 fathoms in federal waters.
Under the amendment, red grouper catch limits would be increased gradually over a three-year period. The council also approved sector allocations of 68.2 percent for the commercial fishery and 31.8 percent for recreational anglers, while maintaining existing buffer percentages between annual catch limits and targets.
The decision follows the most recent red grouper stock assessment, known as SEDAR 88, which concluded that the species is not overfished and is not experiencing overfishing. That assessment supported a significant increase in allowable harvest compared to current limits.
According to the council, the updated assessment incorporated improved recreational landings data from Florida’s State Reef Fish Survey and adjusted the proxy used to estimate maximum sustainable yield. Managers say the changes are designed to leave more fish in the water to spawn, improving long-term stock resiliency while still expanding fishing opportunities.
In addition to higher catch limits, the council voted to remove the seasonal recreational closure for shallow-water grouper species beyond 20 fathoms. The closure had been intended to protect multiple grouper species during late winter, but council members determined that several of those species no longer require the additional protection or are unaffected by the closure due to other regulations already in place.
Council officials said removing the closure should reduce regulatory burdens on recreational anglers, particularly during a popular time of year for offshore fishing in the Gulf.
Reef Fish Amendment 62 will now be transmitted to the Secretary of Commerce for review and potential implementation. If approved, the changes could take effect as soon as federal rulemaking is completed.
The Gulf Council is one of eight regional fishery management councils established under the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976 and oversees fisheries within the 200-mile federal waters of the Gulf of America.
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