NOAA Fisheries Announces the 2025 Gag Recreational Season in Federal Waters of the Gulf

FB25-023: Gulf Fishery Bulletin

For more information, contact Jesse Buntin at 727-824-5305, Jesse.Buntin@noaa.gov

What/When/Why:

• Federal waters of the Gulf will open to gag recreational harvest at 12:01 a.m., local time, September 1, 2025, and will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, September 15, 2025.

Why The Gag Closure Is Happening:

• NOAA Fisheries projects the 2025 recreational annual catch target will be harvested as of September 14, 2025.
• In accordance with the regulations, NOAA Fisheries must close harvest when the recreational annual catch target has been met or is projected to be met. Therefore, this closure will begin on September 15, 2025.

During The Closure:

• During the recreational closure, the bag and possession limits are zero for gag in or from federal waters of the Gulf.
• The prohibition on possession of gag also applies in Gulf state waters for a vessel issued a valid federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish.

SOURCE: NOAA Fisheries

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