Opportunity
Federal Register #2026-11221
Final Rule: Amendment 55 for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Fishery Management
Buyer
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce Department
Posted
June 04, 2026
Identifier
2026-11221
This final rule from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), under NOAA and the Department of Commerce, implements Amendment 55 for the South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper Fishery. - Government Buyer: - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Sustainable Fisheries, under NOAA, Department of Commerce - OEMs and Vendors: - NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) - NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) - Products/Services Requested: - Establishment of a new scamp and yellowmouth grouper complex - Annual catch limits (ACLs) for the new complex, ranging from 67,450 lb to 79,800 lb round weight (2025-2029 and beyond) - Sector allocations for commercial and recreational fisheries - Recreational bag limit: 1 fish (scamp or yellowmouth grouper) per person per day within the aggregate limit - Commercial trip limit: 300 lb (gutted weight) per trip for the complex - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Removal of yellowmouth grouper from the previous shallow water grouper complex - Implementation of a 10-year rebuilding plan for the scamp and yellowmouth grouper stock - Annual adjustments to ACLs and sector allocations through 2029, then fixed limits - Accountability measures to prevent overfishing and ensure stock rebuilding - Aimed at minimizing adverse social and economic impacts while achieving optimum yield
Description
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issues regulations to implement Amendment 55 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic. This final rule removes yellowmouth grouper from the other South Atlantic shallow water grouper complex and establishes a new scamp and yellowmouth grouper complex. It sets catch levels, sector management measures, accountability measures, a rebuilding plan, sector allocations, and status determination criteria for the new complex. The purpose is to rebuild the scamp and yellowmouth grouper stock and achieve optimum yield while minimizing adverse social and economic effects.