NOAA Fisheries is Releasing the Withheld Portion of the 2026 Deep-Water Grouper (DWG) Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Allocation to IFQ Fishermen

Key Messages:

• When distributing IFQ allocation on January 1, 2026, NOAA Fisheries withheld the amount necessary to implement the reduced DWG commercial annual catch limit (ACL) and commercial quota the Gulf Council proposed in Amendment 58B to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf.
  • Amendment 58B proposes a commercial ACL of 498,358 pounds gutted weight (lb gw) and a commercial quota of 478,424 lb gw.
• We noticed the availability of Amendment 58B for public comment on March 3, 2026, but are unable to finalize implementing regulations prior to June 1, 2026.
• Federal regulations require NOAA Fisheries to distribute withheld commercial quota if a final rule to implement the quota reduction is not published in the Federal Register and effective by June 1.
• As a result, we will distribute the remaining 545,576 lb gw on April 1, 2026. The total quota for the year will be 1,024,000 lb gw.
• The remaining 2026 DWG allocation will be distributed to shareholders based on the current DWG shares held as of the date of distribution.

What This Means:

• IFQ Shareholders that currently hold DWG shares will receive additional allocation in their IFQ accounts on April 1, 2026.
• The amount of allocation distributed to each shareholder is based on the percentage of shares held by each shareholder and the amount of quota withheld (545,576 lb gw).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why did NOAA Fisheries withhold DWG Allocation?

• The Gulf Council developed Amendment 58B, which would reduce catch limits for the DWG complex (yellowedge grouper, snowy grouper, warsaw grouper, and speckled hind). This is necessary because a recent stock assessment found that overfishing was occurring for yellowedge grouper (too many fish being harvested).
• IFQ allocation cannot be reclaimed once distributed at the start of the fishing year. Therefore, NOAA Fisheries withheld commercial allocation from IFQ shareholders based on the proposed quota in the event final regulations for Amendment 58B were implemented prior to June 1, 2026.

Why is NOAA Fisheries releasing the withheld DWG Allocation?

• To support IFQ participants' ability to effectively plan business operations, NOAA Fisheries announced that we would only withhold the IFQ quota until June 1. Because Amendment 58B will not be implemented by June 1, 2026, IFQ allocation in the amount withheld from each shareholder will be distributed back to IFQ shareholders.

Who do I contact for more information about this release?

• For more information, contact: Catch Share Customer Support, (866) 425-7627 (Select option 2, from 8 am - 4:30 pm Eastern Standard Time [EST]), [email protected]

Where can I find more information on Amendment 58B?

• Contact NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

By Mail: Daniel Luers

NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office
Sustainable Fisheries Division
263 13th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505

By FAX: (727) 824-5308

By Phone: (727) 824-5305

The amendment may be found online at the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Web site at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/amendment-58b-modifications-deep-water-grouper-management-measures .

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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