Final rule · 2026-10200

Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of America, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of America; 2026 Recreational Season Announcement and Harvest Closure for Gag

NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the recreational harvest of gag in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Gulf of America (Gulf) for the 2026 fishing year. The recreational fishing season for Gulf gag opens on September 1, and NMFS has projected that recreational landings of gag will reach the annual catch target (ACT) by October 1. Therefore, recreational fishing for gag in the Gulf EEZ will be open from September 1 through September 30 and will close on October 1, 2026. The recreational harvest of Gulf gag will remain closed through the end of the fishing year on December 31, 2026. NMFS implements this recreational AM to protect the gag resource.