Modifications to Shallow-water Grouper Management Measures

The Shallow-water Grouper complex is made up of Scamp, Yellowmouth, Black, and Yellowfin Groupers. At this time the entire complex is managed under one allocation. Now a stock assessment has been completed on Scamp and Yellowmouth Grouper. This assessment offers catch advice that significantly reduces the allocation of both species. In Amendment 58A the document considers splitting the complex. This would trigger new criteria that would determine accountability measures, allowable harvests, the overfishing thresholds, as well as a fishing season.

The Gulf Council decided to start a separate framework action to revise catch limits for the Shallow-water Grouper complex, all four species, in the interim as Amendment 58A is developed and implemented.

This Amendment is extremely complex and will be time consuming. We will update you on the Actions as it continues to evolve and develops.