Fisheries Management – Gulf of America Reef Fish
Current understanding
NMFS, working with the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, manages the Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), setting annual catch limits, sector allocations between commercial and recreational fishermen, and seasonal closures for species such as red grouper and other shallow-water grouper. Amendments to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan periodically adjust these measures based on stock assessments and socioeconomic considerations. Changes affect commercial harvesters’ revenue, recreational anglers’ access, and consumer availability and pricing of Gulf grouper.