What/When:
- Federal waters of the Gulf will open to gag recreational harvest at 12:01 a.m., local time, September 1, 2026, and will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, October 1, 2026.
Why The Gag Closure Is Happening:
- NOAA Fisheries projects the 2026 recreational annual catch target will be harvested as of October 1, 2026.
- In accordance with the regulations, NOAA Fisheries must close harvest when the recreational annual catch target has been met or is projected to be met. Therefore, this closure will begin at 12:01 am on October 1, 2026.
During the Closure:
- During the recreational closure, the bag and possession limits are zero for gag in or from federal waters of the Gulf.
- The prohibition on possession of gag also applies in Gulf state waters for a vessel issued a valid federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the catch limits for gag in the Gulf?
- The most recent population assessment (SEDAR 72) for Gulf gag indicated that the stock is overfished and undergoing overfishing.
- Catch limits for Gulf gag are based on the projections from SEDAR 72, which included estimates of private recreational landings in Florida derived from the Florida State Reef Fish Survey.
- The recreational annual catch limit and annual catch target for 2026 are 499,000 and 399,000 pounds gutted weight, respectively. The 2025 landings did not exceed the recreational ACL or ACT, and thus, no payback is required as had been the case in the 2024 and 2025 fishing seasons.
How was the recreational gag season determined?
- Elevated fishing effort for recreational gag was observed beginning in 2023 following the shortening of the season and shift in start date.
- NOAA Fisheries worked with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to project the fall season length for gag based on landings from the last three years.