Gulf grouper season shrinks for anglers in 2027

Gulf of America anglers and commercial crews will face tighter rules for shallow-water grouper starting Jan. 1, 2027. Federal fishery managers lowered catch limits for scamp, yellowmouth, black and yellowfin grouper while NOAA and the Gulf Council work on more changes.

The rule is aimed at reducing harvest of Gulf scamp and yellowmouth grouper while the Gulf Council works on additional changes.

Smaller quotas, a closed winter and spring

NMFS cut the stock complex annual catch limit from 710,000 pounds to 322,000 pounds, lowered the commercial limit from 547,000 pounds to 255,000 pounds and set the commercial quota at 245,000 pounds. The numbers are measured in gutted weight.

For recreational fishing, the rule creates a fixed closed season from Jan. 1 through June 30 each year. During that stretch, there is no bag or possession limit for other shallow-water grouper in or from Gulf federal waters, then fishing reopens July 1 and runs through Dec. 31.