NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on a proposed rule that would withhold 275,000 pounds of the 2027 commercial red grouper quota in the Gulf of Mexico in anticipation of establishing a commercial quota pool.

The proposed rule is part of a framework action under the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf. If approved, it would give NOAA Fisheries authority to withhold the portion of the 2027 commercial red grouper quota needed to establish the quota pool proposed in Amendment 63 to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan.

The public comment period is open through Oct. 13. Comments must be submitted electronically through the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal or by postal mail. Comments submitted by any other method, including email, sent to another address or individual or received after the comment period closes may not be considered by NOAA Fisheries.

Electronic comments can be submitted through www.regulations.gov/document/NOAA-NMFS-2026-1882-0002/. Commenters should click the "Comment" icon, complete the required fields and enter or attach their comments.

Written comments may be mailed to Frank Helies, Southeast Regional Office, NMFS, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.

The proposed rule was published Sept. 10 in the Federal Register as 91 FR 57532.

The most recent stock assessment of Gulf red grouper found that the population is healthy and catch limits can be increased. Catch limit increases for 2026 and subsequent years are currently proposed in Amendment 62 to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan, which is undergoing rulemaking.

In anticipation of the pending substantial increase in the red grouper quota, the Gulf of America Fishery Management Council developed Amendment 63 to the Reef Fish Fishery Management Plan. The amendment would establish a three-year pilot program beginning in 2027 to set aside a portion of the increase in the commercial red grouper quota for a quota pool. The council approved Amendment 63 for NOAA Fisheries review and implementation during its June meeting.

The framework action was developed to support implementation of Amendment 63. NOAA Fisheries annually distributes the commercial red grouper quota around Jan. 1 for that fishing year. For Amendment 63 to be implemented in 2027, NOAA Fisheries would need to withhold the percentage of the quota on Jan. 1 that would be necessary to establish the quota pool.

Under the proposed rule, NOAA Fisheries would have authority to withhold a percentage of the 2027 commercial red grouper quota equivalent to the portion proposed for the quota pool in Amendment 63, or 275,000 pounds gutted weight. If Amendment 63 is not approved and implemented by May 1, 2027, the withheld quota would be distributed to shareholders.

Additional information about the framework action is available from the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office. Frank Helies can be contacted by mail at NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office, Sustainable Fisheries Division, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505. The office can also be reached by fax at (727) 824-5308 or by phone at (727) 824-5305.

The framework action is available online through the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office website at www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/red-grouper-quota-holdback-anticipation-amendment-63-implementation/.