The Gulf Council is asking for feedback on the development of a proposed three-year pilot program that would set aside a portion of the red grouper commercial quota for distribution to participants of the Grouper/Tilefish Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program. The quota pool would be established beginning in 2027 using a percentage of the quota increase that is expected to be distributed when Reef Fish Amendment 62 is implemented.
The Council is hosting two virtual public hearings beginning at 6:00 PM EST on May 13 and May 14, 2026. During each hearing, Council staff will review the proposed changes, answer questions, and take public comment. Additional information and a link to provide online comment can be found here.
Register to join the public hearing webinars here.
The goal of the quota pool is to enhance economic profitability and reduce discards by improving access to red grouper annual allocation. Current Preferred Alternatives would establish a quota pool beginning in 2027 if the commercial annual catch target is above 4,280,000 pounds. That quota pool would be populated with 20% of the quota increase scheduled for distribution in Amendment 62 and would be distributed as non-transferable annual allocation to commercial reef fish permit holders that have landed at least 500 pounds of red grouper over a two-year reference period. Half of the quota pool would be distributed to active red grouper fishermen without red grouper shares and half would be distributed to active fishermen with red grouper shares; both would receive distributions proportionally based on red grouper landings.
About The Gulf Council: The Gulf Council is one of eight regional Fishery Management Councils established by the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Council prepares fishery management plans, which are designed to manage fishery resources within the 200-mile limit of the Gulf of America.