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The public comment window for this decision closed on May 26, 2026. The record of what was at stake stays on this page.

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The comment window closed on May 26, 2026.

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Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of America, and South Atlantic; Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; Regulatory Amendment 36

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration· South Atlantic, Gulf of AmericaFederal Register 2026-07901 ↗

Wildlife Fisheries Marine

NMFS is proposing changes to fishing rules for the South Atlantic's snapper-grouper fishery. It'd tighten recreational bag limits for gag and black grouper to help rebuild those fish stocks, and it'd also update storage rules for commercial ropeless black sea bass traps when vessels pass through gear-restricted areas. Recreational fishers targeting grouper and commercial black sea bass pot fishermen operating off the South Atlantic coast would be most directly affected.

In the agency’s own words

NMFS seeks public comment on proposed regulations to implement Regulatory Amendment 36 under the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic (Snapper-Grouper FMP). This proposed rule would revise the recreational vessel limits for gag and black grouper. Additionally, this proposed rule would revise the transit storage requirements for commercial on-demand, also known as ropeless, black sea bass pots. The purpose of these regulatory changes is to increase biological benefits to the gag and black grouper stocks, and to allow more practical transit of vessels through certain gear re…

Federal Register 2026-07901 ↗

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