Deep-water Grouper Complex
The deep-water grouper complex consists of the Warsaw Grouper, Snowy Grouper, Yellowedge Grouper, and Speckled Hind (Kitty Mitchel), and is currently managed with a single ACL for the complex. The most recent stock assessment on Yellowedge grouper (SEDAR 85) determined that while Yellowedge is not overfished, it is experiencing overfishing. Based on the stock assessment results, which indicated low recent recruitment and increased recreational harvest, the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) recommended an overall decrease in the allowable harvest to end overfishing. While Yellowedge is the most landed species in the deep-water grouper complex, it is frequently caught with the other deep-water grouper species. Thus, the SSC also recommended updated catch limits based on average historical landings for the other three deep-grouper species in the complex, and that the catch limits for those species and Yellowedge Grouper be combined. Especially since barotrauma is 100% on these species since they come from such depths.
The Council reviewed options for Reef Fish Amendment 58B, which considers modifying deep-water grouper management measures and selected a preferred alternative that would establish catch limits for the complex based on the SSC’s recommendations. This would result in an ACL of 555,026 pounds, which represents approximately a 50% reduction in allowable harvest. The Council waited to select a preferred alternative for sector allocations. The Council also narrowed the options for modifying accountability measures and selected a preferred alternative that will trigger a recreational season reduction if average recreational landings exceed the recreational and total complex annual catch limit over a 3-year period. The Council plans to review a public hearing draft of this document during its June meeting and will gather public input before taking final action as soon as August.
(Written: April 2025)
