Opportunity
Federal Register #2026-20435
NOAA Rule Raises Gulf Red Grouper Catch Limits and Removes a Recreational Closure
Buyer
U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Posted
October 06, 2026
Identifier
2026-20435
NOAA has issued a final rule changing Gulf red grouper catch limits and recreational fishing restrictions. - Government agencies: U.S. Department of Commerce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), working with the Gulf Council. - What the rule changes: Implements Amendment 62 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf and raises commercial and recreational red grouper catch limits. - Commercial limits: Tiered annual catch limits are 4.51 million, 5.08 million, and 5.65 million pounds; corresponding quota tiers are 4.28 million, 4.83 million, and 5.37 million pounds. - Recreational limits: Tiered annual catch limits are 2.11 million, 2.37 million, and 2.63 million pounds; annual catch target tiers are 1.92 million, 2.16 million, and 2.39 million pounds. - Updated management benchmarks: The overfishing limit is 10.64 million pounds, acceptable biological catch is 8.28 million pounds, and total annual catch limit is 6.62 million pounds. The rule also updates the maximum sustainable yield proxy and sector allocations. - Recreational restriction: Removes the February-through-March seasonal closure for shallow-water grouper in Gulf federal waters seaward of the 20-fathom boundary. - Procurement status: This is a fishery-management regulation, not a procurement opportunity or contract award. No OEMs, vendors, requested products, or services are identified.
Description
The final rule implements management measures in Amendment 62 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf. It revises catch limits and sector allocations for Gulf of America red grouper, including commercial and recreational limits, quotas, and targets. It also removes the February 1 through March 31 recreational seasonal closure for shallow-water grouper in Gulf Federal waters seaward of the 20-fathom boundary. The rule is effective October 2, 2026.