Recreational Red Grouper Fishery Closed; Fishing for Other Groupers Remains Open

November 7, 2005

Release from:
NOAA

NOAA Fisheries Service has announced changes to fishing regulations as a result of a recent court decision. The recreational fishery for red grouper in Gulf of Mexico federal waters was closed on November 1, 2005. During the closure, the possession of red grouper taken from federal waters is prohibited.

The recreational fishery for other shallow-water grouper (black, gag, yellowfin, scamp, yellowmouth, rock hind, and red hind) and deep-water grouper (misty, snowy, yellowedge, warsaw, and speckled hind) remains open with an aggregate bag limit of five grouper, combined, per person per day, but not to exceed one speckled hind or one warsaw grouper per vessel per day. Harvest of goliath and Nassau grouper is prohibited.

The red grouper fishery will remain closed until 12:01 a.m., local time, January 1, 2006, at which time the aggregate bag limit will remain at five grouper, combined, per person per day, but not to exceed one speckled hind or one warsaw grouper per vessel per day or one red grouper per person per day.

For more information, contact Jason.Rueter@noaa.gov.