Gulf Grouper

Gulf of Mexico Grouper Management

**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.

The following changes have been adopted:

• setting the recreational open season from July 1 through Oct. 31 (except for state waters off of Franklin, Wakulla, Jefferson and Taylor counties including all waters of Apalachiocola Bay, Indian Pass and the Steinhatchee River.)
• lowering the minimum commercial size limit from 24 inches to 22 inches total length

The Commission also determined that an April 1, 2012, through June 30, 2012, gag grouper harvest season was warranted in the state waters off Taylor, Jefferson, Wakulla and Franklin counties, including all waters of Apalachicola Bay and Indian Pass, including those in Gulf County, and all waters of the Steinhatchee River, including those in Dixie County. This area of state waters will be closed to recreational gag grouper harvest for the remainder of the year.

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.

For more information, visit the gag grouper question and answer page.

Current Recreational Grouper Regulations

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 fisheries.

GPS Boundaries: Taylor-Franklin Regional Season

Anglers targeting gag grouper in state waters in Franklin, Wakulla, Jefferson and Taylor counties can keep their bag limit from April 1 through June 30. This opening also includes all waters of the Steinhatchee River, including those in Dixie County, and all waters of Apalachicola Bay and Indian Pass, including those in Gulf County. The shaded areas represent what will be open to recreational gag grouper harvest between April 1 and June 30

Pictured above is the western boundary of the April 1-June 30 gag grouper recreational harvest.

Pictured above is the eastern boundary of the April 1-June 30 gag grouper recreational harvest season.

For more information:

• FWC News Release-Regional season opening
• Atlantic Grouper
• State Reef Fish Rule, 68B-14, F.A.C.
• Federal Code of Regulations

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 votes to approve an April 1, 2012, through June 30, 2012, gag grouper harvest season for state waters off Taylor, Jefferson, Wakulla and Franklin counties, including Apalachicola Bay and Indian Pass. This area of state waters will be closed to recreational gag grouper harvest for the remainder of the year.

For more information:

• FWC News Release - February 2012 Commission meeting
• FWC News Release - November 2011 Commission meeting
• NOAA Southeast Fishery Bulletin - Red grouper bag limit increase
• Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council website
• NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office website