Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of America; 2027 Red Grouper Commercial Quota Retention
- Published
- Sep 10, 2026
- Comments close
- Oct 13, 2026
- Citation
- 91 FR 57532
- Docket
- Docket No. 260902-0009
- Agencies
- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Proposed rule; request for comments.
Summary
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), a branch of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is proposing to set aside a portion of the commercial red grouper quota for the 2027 fishing year. The goal is to create a reserve pool of fish that can be used in a new pilot program outlined in the upcoming Amendment 63 to the Gulf Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan. By withholding this amount now, NMFS aims to ensure there will be enough fish in the pool when the amendment’s rules are finalized, helping the fishery manage the species more sustainably while still meeting market demand. The proposal mainly affects commercial operators who participate in the Gulf grouper and tilefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program, because the withheld fish would otherwise have been allocated to them on January 1, 2027. NMFS is seeking input from the fishing industry, conservation groups, state agencies, and the public to gauge the impacts of the quota reservation before finalizing the rule. Comments on the proposal must be submitted by October 13, 2026. After the comment period closes, NMFS will review the feedback and decide whether to adopt the quota‑withholding measure as part of Amendment 63. If adopted, the reserved portion of the 2027 red grouper quota will be placed into the new pilot pool, and the remaining commercial quota will be distributed to IFQ shareholders as usual. The final rule would then become effective for the 2027 fishing year.
AI-generated summary — verify against the Federal Register text.
Official abstract
NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in a framework action under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf (FMP), as prepared by the Gulf Council (Council). If implemented, this proposed rule would withhold a portion of the commercial allocation of Gulf of America (Gulf) red grouper for the 2027 fishing year in anticipation of the upcoming rulemaking to implement Amendment 63 to the FMP (Amendment 63). If implemented by NMFS, Amendment 63 would establish a pilot program for setting aside a portion of the red grouper commercial quota for a quota pool. This proposed rule would withhold a portion of the red grouper commercial quota for the 2027 fishing year in the amount necessary to establish that quota pool. This withheld quota would otherwise be allocated to shareholders in the Individual Fishing Quota program for Gulf grouper and tilefishes (GT-IFQ) program on January 1, 2027.
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