Changes to grouper regulations for the federally-managed waters off Florida are pending for both coasts of Florida. Recently, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council took action for regulation changes that are expected to take effect January 2009. Meanwhile, the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Councils are also contemplating regulation changes for grouper and are scheduled to take final action in September 2008. The FWC is actively participating in these decision-making processes and may address any potential regulation changes for state waters following the Councils' actions. These proposed changes largely affect Red, Gag and Black Grouper.

Current Recreational Regulations
- Gag, Black, Red Grouper -
(State and Federal Waters)

Valid until January 1, 2009

Atlantic Ocean and Monroe County

Gag Black Red

Minimum Size Limit 24" TL 24" TL 20" TL

Bag Limit up to 2 gag or black within the 5 grouper aggregate up to 2 gag or black within the 5 grouper aggregate up to 5 within the 5 grouper aggregate

Gulf of Mexico (excluding Monroe County)

Gag Black Red

Minimum Size Limit 22" TL 22" TL 20" TL

Bag Limit up to 5 gag within the 5 grouper aggregate up to 5 black within the 5 grouper aggregate 1 per person within the 5 grouper aggregate

Capt/Crew charter captain/crew - zero bag limit

Closure Feb 15 until Mar 15 in federal waters

*Note: New gear rules requiring circle hooks, dehooking and venting tools to be used in the Gulf reef fish fishery (including Gulf side of Monroe County) became effective June 1st

Pending Regulation Changes (Federal Waters)
- Gag, Black, Red Grouper -

Gulf of Mexico [Federal Waters (> 9mi)]

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council approved final action for new regulations pertaining to Gag, Black, and Red Grouper at their August 11-15, 2008 meeting in Houston. It is expected that these regulations would take effect in early 2009 pending final approval. The FWC may be considering similar changes in the near future.

The federal regulation changes are expected to reduce harvest by at least 25% in order to end overfishing (excessive fishing pressure). For details on the changes to the federal regulations, click on the link below.

Summary of federal grouper regulations (PDF)

For more information, visit the Gulf Council website at www.gulfcouncil.org.

Atlantic Ocean [Federal Waters (>3 mi)]

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is considering changes to grouper regulations for federal waters in the Atlantic. The South Atlantic Council will be addressing these issues at their September meeting. Though subject to change, the proposed regulations include:

2 to 4 month spawning season closure for all shallow-water groupers (commercial and recreational)
reduced recreational bag limit to 1 gag or black grouper within the 3 shallow-water grouper bag limit
zero bag limit for captain/crew on for-hire vessels
Commercial trip limits and directed quota for gag grouper
Require use of venting tools and dehooking devices in the snapper grouper fishery when fishing from a vessel similar to new regulations for the Gulf (but does not include requirement to use circle hooks)

For more information, visit the South Atlantic Council website at www.safmc.net.

Other Grouper Information