South Atlantic Fishery Management Council

Grouper, Nassau

Grouper, Nassau

Epinephelus striatus
Recreational
All areas are closed for recreational fishing.
Commercial
All areas are closed for commercial fishing.

Light colored background with brown or red-brown bars on sides; stripe in shape of tuning fork on forehead; third spine of dorsal longer than second; pelvic fins shorter than pectorals; lacks dots around the eyes; large black saddle on caudal peduncle.

Range limited to south Florida; somewhat site specific; smaller individuals nearshore, adults offshore on rocky reefs. Forms large spawning aggregations, making this species highly vulnerable to over-harvest.

Regulations

Nassau grouper swimming over rocky bottom.

NC, SC, GA, FL

  • Season is currently closed.
  • Notes:

    Closed to possession or harvest.

    Must be released immediately with minimum harm (cutting the line, do NOT remove fish from water). A descending device is required on board all vessels fishing for or possessing snapper and grouper species in federal waters of the South Atlantic. The descending device must be readily available for use and attached to at least 16 ounces of weight and at least 60 feet of line. Get more information at Best Fishing Practices Webpage

    For more information on management of South Atlantic federal fisheries, please visit SAFMC or NOAA Fisheries.

  • Gear Description: Allowable gear includes vertical hook-and-line, including hand line and bandit gear, and spearfishing gear without rebreathers. When fishing for or possessing snapper grouper species in federal waters of the South Atlantic, the following regulations apply: (1) Use of a dehooking tool is required. (2) The use of non-stainless steel hooks is required when using hook-and-line gear with natural baits. In waters North of 28-degrees N. latitude, the use of non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks is required when fishing for snapper grouper species using hook-and-line gear with natural baits. (3) A descending device is required on board all vessels and must be readily available for use (attached to at least 16 ounces of weight and at least 60 feet of line). See below for more details.

Amendments in progress

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