Florida has implemented new recreational fishing regulations for Atlantic gag and black grouper in state waters, effective Oct. 28, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The changes establish a combined two-fish recreational vessel limit and prohibit captain and crew bag limit retention on for-hire vessels. The one-fish-per-person-per-day bag limit for private and for-hire recreational vessels remains unchanged.
The new rules align Florida's state regulations with rules recently implemented in federal Atlantic waters. According to the FWC, consistent regulations between state and federal waters can improve the stock status of these fisheries, prevent federal closures while allowing harvest opportunities coast-wide, and aid in enforcement. The regulations are intended to help rebuild the gag grouper stock.
In 2024, the FWC approved the management changes to align with current and pending federal changes. Current recreational grouper regulations are available at MyFWC.com/Marine under "Recreational Regulations," "Reef Fish," and "Grouper," or by downloading the Fish Rules App.