Federal Register #NOAA-NMFS-2026-0991

NOAA Proposes Revised Catch Limits and Sector Allocations for Gulf Red Grouper

This opportunity concerns a proposed regulatory change by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) under the Department of Commerce, impacting Gulf of Mexico red grouper fisheries. - Government Buyer: - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NMFS Southeast Regional Office - No OEMs or commercial vendors are involved, as this is a regulatory action, not a procurement - Products/Services Requested: - Revision of commercial and recreational annual catch limits (ACLs) and quotas for Gulf red grouper for 2026, 2027, and 2028 and subsequent years - Commercial ACLs: 4.51M lbs (2026), 5.08M lbs (2027), 5.65M lbs (2028+) - Commercial Quotas: 4.28M lbs (2026), 4.83M lbs (2027), 5.37M lbs (2028+) - Recreational ACLs: 2.11M lbs (2026), 2.37M lbs (2027), 2.63M lbs (2028+) - Recreational ACTs: 1.92M lbs (2026), 2.16M lbs (2027), 2.39M lbs (2028+) - Adjustment of sector allocations: - Commercial sector allocation increases from 59.3% to 68.2% - Recreational sector allocation decreases from 40.7% to 31.8% - Removal of the February-March recreational seasonal closure for shallow-water grouper in Gulf Federal waters seaward of the 20-fathom boundary - Unique/Notable Requirements: - No procurement of goods or services; this is a regulatory change affecting commercial and recreational fishing businesses, charter vessels, and headboats - The changes are based on updated scientific information and apply to fishing years 2026 through 2028 and beyond

Description

NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in Amendment 62 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf. This proposed rule would revise the catch limits and sector allocations for Gulf red grouper based on the best scientific information available. Additionally, it would remove the shallow-water grouper recreational seasonal closure from February 1 through March 31 in Gulf Federal waters seaward of the 20-fathom boundary. The rule applies to commercial fishing businesses, charter vessel and headboat fishing businesses, and recreational fishers targeting Gulf red grouper in Federal waters.

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