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U.S. FEDRegulation

NMFS revises Gulf red grouper catch limits, ends shallow-water grouper closure

By LexCircuit Desk · · AI-drafted, human-reviewed

The National Marine Fisheries Service issued a final rule implementing Amendment 62 to the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf. The rule revises catch limits and sector allocations for Gulf of America red grouper based on the best scientific information available. It also removes the recreational seasonal closure for shallow-water grouper from February 1 through March 31 in Gulf federal waters seaward of the 20-fathom boundary. The final rule took effect October 2, 2026.

Text (Federal Register) →

Key points

  • Revises catch limits and sector allocations for Gulf red grouper.Federal Register
  • Removes the Feb. 1–Mar. 31 recreational shallow-water grouper closure seaward of 20 fathoms.Federal Register
  • Implements Amendment 62, prepared and submitted by the Gulf Council.Federal Register
  • Measures rest on the best scientific information available.Federal Register
  • The final rule, published October 6, 2026, at 91 FR 63502, took effect October 2, 2026.Federal Register

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RegulationU.S.NMFS Final Rule: Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of America, Amendment 62 (2026)EnvironmentalFor practitionersFor governance