The National Marine Fisheries Service has filed notice of a proposal which requires review by the MS Department of Marine Resources to ensure compliance with the state’s approved Coastal Program under the Coastal Zone Management Act.
The applicant is proposing to make changes to management measures for red grouper in the Gulf of America, including status determination criteria and catch limits. These regulations would increase the red grouper annual catch limit from 4.96 million pounds to 6.62 million pounds in 2026, 7.45 million pounds in 2027, and 8.28 million pounds in 2028 and subsequent years. Additionally, this action would eliminate the February 1 – March 31 recreational closed season in federal waters seaward of the 20-fathom boundary. View the full proposal at the link(s) below labeled ‘Consistency Certification’.
Any person wishing to make comments or objections to the proposed activity must submit those comments in writing to Thomas Butera by mail at the Department of Marine Resources at 1141 Bayview Avenue, Biloxi, Mississippi 39530, by email at thomas.butera@dmr.ms.gov, or by using the form below before 1:00 p.m. on the day May 4, 2026.
Comment Submission Form
You should receive an acknowledgement of your comment from Thomas Butera by email. If you do not receive this acknowledgement, please contact thomas.butera@dmr.ms.gov.