FWC photo by Thomas Vatter.

Gag grouper recreational harvest closing in 4-county Gulf region

Gag grouper recreational harvest will close in state waters off the coasts of Franklin, Wakulla, Jefferson and Taylor counties July 1, with the last day of harvest June 30. This area will reopen Sept. 1 through Dec. 31.

The four-county region includes all waters of Apalachicola Bay and Indian Pass, including those in Gulf County, and all waters of the Steinhatchee River, including those in Dixie County.

The gag grouper recreational harvest season in Gulf of Mexico state waters, not including Franklin, Jefferson, Wakulla and Taylor counties, opened June 1 and will remain open through Dec. 31, closing Jan. 1, 2020. Monroe County follows the Atlantic season for gag grouper and is currently open.

The FWC manages marine fish from the shore to 9 nautical miles out in the Gulf of Mexico.

Gag grouper caught in federal waters during the June 1-Dec. 31 Gulf federal season and in state waters outside the four-county region may be taken ashore in Franklin, Wakulla, Jefferson and Taylor counties, but boats with gag grouper aboard may not stop and must have gear stowed while traveling through state waters in that region.

To learn more, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations,” “Reef Fish” and “Groupers.”

-30-

Media contact: Amanda Nalley, 850-404-6100 or Amanda.Nalley@MyFWC.com