Commercial Closure of the Scamp and Yellowmouth Grouper Complex in South Atlantic Federal Waters on August 24, 2026

What/When:

• The commercial harvest of the scamp and yellowmouth grouper complex in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time on August 24, 2026.

Why This Closure Is Happening:

• The final rule for Amendment 55 to the fishery management plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region was effective on July 6, 2026. Among other measures, the final rule created a new scamp and yellowmouth grouper complex (91 FR 33661, June 4, 2026).
• The commercial annual catch limit for the scamp and yellowmouth grouper complex for the 2026 fishing year is 46,147 pounds.

• The commercial in-season accountability measure for the scamp and yellowmouth grouper complex in the South Atlantic requires NOAA Fisheries to close the commercial harvest of scamp and yellowmouth grouper for the rest of the fishing year when commercial landings reach or are projected to reach the commercial annual catch limit.

During And After The Closure:

• All sale or purchase of scamp and yellowmouth grouper during a commercial closure is prohibited.
• During the commercial closure, harvest or possession of scamp and yellowmouth grouper in or from the Atlantic is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational sector is open.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-VI/part-622/subpart-I .

Sign Up for Text Message Alerts - Find Out About Immediate Openings and Closures

NOAA's Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery-related alerts via text message (SMS). Standard message & data rates may apply. You may opt-out at any time.

Text alerts you may receive include:

• Immediate fishery openings and closures
• Any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly

Sign up for one or more of the following groups:

• Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico) Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
• Gulf of America Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text GULFCOMMFISH to 888777
• South Atlantic Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text SATLRECFISH to 888777
• South Atlantic Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text SATLCOMMFISH to 888777
• Caribbean Fisheries Related Alerts

Quick Glance Contact List for the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office

Permits Mailbox: The Permits Office in St. Petersburg, Florida, now has a Permits mailbox in the front lobby (263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701). You can now drop off original permits for permit transfers. Envelopes with information labels will be provided so that your documents can be attached to the correct application. The mailbox will be checked daily. For more information, contact the Permits Office at 877-376-4877.

Other contacts:

Media: Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750

Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan, 727-385-5202