Recreational red grouper fishing ends today

The recreational harvest of red grouper in the Gulf of Mexico will close on Thursday, October 8^th.

NOAA Fisheries had hoped to extend the red grouper season for the entire year by reducing the bag limit to 2 fish per person per day, but abundant red grouper were caught closer to shore in shallower water this year, making them more accessible to recreational fishermen.

2015 landings data indicate the 1.9 million-pound recreational annual catch limit will be reached by October 7^th.

The closure is necessary to protect the red grouper population – which is considered overfished.

The fishery will remain closed until January the 1^st.

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