Orange Beach, Ala. – (OBA) – Starting from July 1, 2024, at 12:01 am local time, recreational fishing for red grouper in the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico will be prohibited. This closure, extending through the end of the year, is enforced by NOAA Fisheries due to the expected meeting of the annual catch target of 1,840,000 pounds gutted weight by June 30, 2024.

The closure decision is supported by data from multiple sources including the Marine Recreational Information Program and state agencies. Analyses of past years' harvests showed significant overages, necessitating a conservative approach this year. In 2021, the catch limit was exceeded by 72%, followed by 35% in 2022 and an estimated 25% in 2023.

During the closure, all possession and bag limits for red grouper will be zero. This applies to all vessels in the Gulf of Mexico federal waters, including those with valid federal charters for reef fish. Additionally, this prohibition extends to state waters for those vessels.

NOAA Fisheries will review landings data by mid-to-late August 2024. If the review shows that the annual catch target was not met by July 1, 2024, the agency may consider reopening the season and will announce new dates accordingly. This step ensures the sustainability of red grouper stocks by preventing overfishing and maintaining a balanced ecosystem.