Shallow-water Grouper Complex
The shallow-water grouper complex consists of Scamp, Yellowmouth Grouper, BlackGrouper, and Yellowfin Grouper, and is currently managed with a single annual catch limit for the complex. The Council worked on a draft framework action to modify the catch limit and recreational season for the Shallow-Water Grouper complex while Reef Fish Amendment 58A is developed. This draft framework action is to constrain the catch levels of the shallow-water grouper complex while they work through the more complex Amendment process.
The Council previously chose a preferred alternative that would reduce the shallow-water grouper complex by 54.7%, resulting in an annual catch limit equal to 322,000 pounds, which provides the most amount of access out of all the alternatives. During this meeting, the Council chose a preferred alternative that would open the recreational season on July 1 and close when the recreational portion of the annual catch limit is projected to be met. Under current projections, the season is expected to remain open through December 31.This would apply to the 2026 fishing season.
There was discussion about a split season while trying to select a preferred alternative. The split season they were looking at was April thru May and then September 1 thru the end of the year. But they concluded on a preferred alternative of July 1 thru the end of the year. There are some in the Eastern Gulf that would prefer a split season.
(Written: April 2025)
