Gulf Grouper

Gulf of Mexico Grouper Management

Current Recreational Regulations
- Gag, Black, Red Grouper -
(State and Federal Waters)

State and Federal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico (Except All State Waters of Monroe County) *

*Note: Gear rules require circle hooks, dehooking and venting tools to be used in the Gulf reef fish fishery

**Feb. 1 - March 31 closed season in Gulf waters applies to the following grouper species: Red, Black, Gag, Yellowfin, Yellowmouth, Rock Hind, Red Hind and Scamp.

***New regulations came into effect for Red Grouper on Dec. 30, 2011.

For more information:

• Atlantic Grouper
• State Reef Fish Rule, 68B-14, F.A.C.
• Federal Code of Regulations

**NEW** Gag Grouper Commission Update:

Gulf: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission adopted new management measures for Gulf of Mexico gag grouper at the February 2012 Commission meeting. These new measures will achieve consistency with federal management efforts while potentially providing a region-specific recreational season in four counties.

The following changes have been adopted:

• setting the recreational open season from July 1 through Oct. 31
• lowering the minimum commercial size limit from 24 inches to 22 inches total length

The smaller size limit will not allow commercial fishermen to harvest more fish because gag grouper is on a quota system, meaning only a certain number of fish can be harvested. The smaller size limit will decrease the amount of fish deaths.

The Commission also authorized Chairman Kathy Barco and Executive Director Nick Wiley to issue an executive order opening gag grouper season in the state waters off Taylor, Jefferson, Wakulla and Franklin counties, including Apalachicola Bay and Indian Pass. This gag grouper recreational season, if implemented, will open harvest in state waters during April, May and June, and close harvest in those waters during the July-to-October season.

Visit MyFWC.com/Commission or scroll down to learn more.

Gag and Red Grouper Management in Gulf of Mexico waters

Red Grouper increase in Federal Waters

The recreational red grouper bag limit for Gulf of Mexico federal waters was increased Nov. 2, 2011, from two to four fish in the four-fish grouper aggregate bag limit.

The FWC Commissioners increased the red grouper bag limit from two fish to four fish in Gulf of Mexico state waters (excluding Monroe County) at the November meeting. The new rule took effect on December 30, 2011.

Recent Gag Grouper Management History:

• 2009 - Stock assessment update indicates Gulf of Mexico gag grouper are overfished and undergoing overfishing, which means more fish are being removed from the water and there are not enough fish in the water for populations to remain sustainable.
• In response, NOAA Fisheries Service prohibits the recreational harvest of gag grouper in Gulf of Mexico federal waters from January 1 through May 31, 2011, as part of an interim rule.
• Feb. 2011 - Federal closure is extended through the end of 2011 with the exception of a Sept. 16 through Nov. 15 recreational open season.
• April 2011 - FWC Commissioners decide to close state waters of the Gulf of Mexico, excluding Monroe County, to the recreational harvest of gag grouper from June 1 through Dec. 31, 2011, with the exception of a fall harvest season Sept. 16 through Nov. 15, 2011.
• Aug. 2011 - Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) takes final action to set long-term management measures for gag grouper in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. These measures include:

  • Set the recreational gag grouper harvest season to July 1 through Oct. 31 for Gulf federal waters
  • Reduce the commercial gag grouper size limit from 24" to 22" total length (TL)
• Nov. 2011 - NOAA Fisheries extends the federal closure through June 2, 2012.
• Nov. 2011 - FWC Commissioners continue the gag grouper closure in state waters through January 31, 2012. The fishery closes annually during February and March.
• Feb. 2012 - FWC Commissioners adopt new management measures for Gulf of Mexico gag grouper including setting the recreational open season from July 1 through Oct. 31 and lowering the minimum commercial size limit from 24 inches to 22 inches total length. The Commission also authorizes Chairman Kathy Barco and Executive Director Nick Wiley to issue an executive order opening gag grouper season in the state waters off Taylor, Jefferson, Wakulla and Franklin counties, including Apalachicola Bay and Indian Pass. This gag grouper recreational season, if implemented, will open harvest in state waters during April, May and June, and close harvest in those waters during the July-to-October season.

For more information:

• FWC News Release - February 2012 Commission meeting
• FWC News Release - November 2011 Commission meeting
• NOAA Southeast Fishery Bulletin - Gag regulations for federal waters
• FWC November 2011 Commission Meeting agenda
• NOAA Southeast Fishery Bulletin - Red grouper bag limit increase
• NOAA Southeast Fishery Bulletin - NOAA seeks public comment
• Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council website
• NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office website
• FWC April 2011 Commission Meeting