Both the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fisheries Management Councils are contemplating changes to grouper regulations that apply in the federally-managed waters off Florida. The FWC is actively participating in these decision-making processes and may address any potential regulation changes for state waters following the Councils' actions. These proposed changes largely affect red, gag and black grouper.

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

Atlantic Ocean and Monroe County

Gag Black Red

Minimum Size Limit 24" TL 24" TL 20" TL

Bag Limit up to 2 gag or black within the 5 grouper aggregate up to 2 gag or black within the 5 grouper aggregate up to 5 within the 5 grouper aggregate

Gulf of Mexico (excluding Monroe County)

Gag Black Red

Minimum Size Limit 22" TL 22" TL 20" TL

Bag Limit up to 5 gag within the 5 grouper aggregate up to 5 black within the 5 grouper aggregate 1 per person within the 5 grouper aggregate

Capt/Crew charter captain/crew - zero bag limit

Closure Feb 15 until Mar 15 in federal waters

*Note: New gear rules requiring circle hooks, dehooking and venting tools to be used in the Gulf reef fish fishery (including Gulf side of Monroe County) is effective June 1st

Pending Regulation Changes (Federal Waters)
- Gag, Black, Red Grouper -

Gulf of Mexico [Federal Waters (> 9mi)]

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is scheduled to take action or continue developing the proposed regulations for gag, black, and red grouper at their June 2-6, 2008 meeting in Houston. It is expected that these regulations would take effect in 2009. The FWC may be considering similar changes during the second half of 2008.

The following proposed federal regulation changes are being developed to reduce harvest in order to end overfishing (excessive fishing pressure):

spawning season closure for all shallow-water groupers (commercial and recreational)
reduced recreational bag limit
- some combination of red, gag, and black grouper within the 3 shallow-water grouper bag limit
zero bag limit for captain/crew on for-hire vessels
reduced commercial quota

For further details on proposed changes, review the

April 2008 Background Report
Reef Fish Amendment 30B Public Hearing Draft (March 2008)
Gag Grouper Stock Assessment (SEDAR 10)
Red Grouper Stock Assessment (SEDAR 12)

ATLANTIC OCEAN [Federal Waters (>3 mi)]

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is considering changes to grouper regulations for federal waters in the Atlantic. At their meeting in March 2008, the South Atlantic Council selected preferred management options. These proposed regulations include:

spawning season closure for all shallow-water groupers (commercial and recreational)
- January – April
reduced recreational bag limit
- 1 gag or black grouper within the 3 shallow-water grouper bag limit
zero bag limit for captain/crew on for-hire vessels
gag grouper commercial quota – when reached, all commercial harvest of shallow-water grouper prohibited

Public hearings hosted by the South Atlantic Council for these potential federal changes will occur in Florida during May (Homestead on May 7, Port Canaveral on May 12) and final action is expected at their June 8-13 2008 meeting in Orlando.

For further details on proposed changes

For more information, visit the South Atlantic Council website at www.safmc.net.

Other Grouper Information