The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) on Thursday proposed rule amendments for gag grouper in Gulf of Mexico state waters to be consistent with anticipated regulations in Gulf federal waters.  In addition, the FWC is proposing to allow Florida recreational anglers to harvest more red grouper in Gulf state waters.

A recent stock assessment indicated that Gulf gag grouper is undergoing overfishing (excessive harvesting pressure) and harvest levels must be reduced.  Interim federal regulations to address this situation are expected to be implemented in January in Gulf waters beyond nine nautical miles offshore, and the FWC is proposing gag grouper rule amendments for state waters that are consistent with the federal regulations.

These rules would establish a two-fish per person recreational daily bag limit for gag grouper within the five-grouper aggregate limit in Gulf state waters, and prohibit the recreational harvest of gag grouper from Gulf state waters from Feb. 1 through March 31.  Currently, recreational fishers in the Gulf are allowed to keep up to five gag grouper daily, and there is no recreational closed season.

The FWC is also proposing a rule amendment that would increase the recreational daily bag limit for red grouper in Gulf state waters from one fish per person to two beginning Jan. 1.  A recent stock assessment concluded that the Gulf red grouper stock has recovered enough to allow an increase in harvest levels, and it is expected that the recreational red grouper bag limit in Gulf federal waters will be increased to two fish sometime in 2009.

A final public hearing on these proposed rule amendments will be held in December in Key West.