All size limits in this section are minimum size limits unless specified otherwise. A fish not in compliance with its size limit, as specified in this section, in or from the Gulf EEZ, may not be possessed, sold, or purchased. A fish not in compliance with its size limit must be released immediately with a minimum of harm. The operator of a vessel that fishes in the EEZ is responsible for ensuring that fish on board are in compliance with the size limits specified in this section. See § 622.10 regarding requirements for landing fish intact.
(a) Snapper - (1) Red snapper - 16 inches (40.6 cm), TL, for a fish taken by a person subject to the bag limit specified in § 622.38 (b)(3) and 13 inches (33.0 cm), TL, for a fish taken by a person not subject to the bag limit.
(2) Lane snapper - 8 inches (20.3 cm), TL.
(3) Vermilion snapper - 10 inches (25.4 cm), TL.
(4) Cubera, gray, and yellowtail snappers - 12 inches (30.5 cm), TL.
(5) Mutton snapper - 16 inches (40.6 cm), TL.
(b) Grouper - (1) Gag. (i) For a person not subject to the bag limit specified in § 622.38(b)(2) - 22 inches (55.9 cm), TL.
(ii) For a person subject to the bag limit specified in § 622.38(b)(2) - 24 inches (61.0 cm), TL.
(2) Red grouper - (i) For a person not subject to the bag limit specified in § 622.38 (b)(2) - 18 inches (45.7 cm), TL.
(ii) For a person subject to the bag limit specified in § 622.38(b)(2) - 20 inches (50.8 cm), TL.
(3) Scamp - 16 inches (40.6 cm), TL.
(4) Yellowfin grouper - 20 inches (50.8 cm), TL.
(5) Black grouper - (i) For a person not subject to the bag limit specified in § 622.38(b)(2) - 24 inches (61.0 cm), TL.
(ii) For a person subject to the bag limit specified in § 622.38(b)(2) - 24 inches (61.0 cm), TL.
(c) Other Gulf reef fish species - (1) Gray triggerfish - 14 inches (35.6 cm), fork length.
(2) Hogfish - 12 inches (30.5 cm), fork length.
(3) Banded rudderfish and lesser amberjack - 14 inches (35.6 cm), fork length (minimum size); 22 inches (55.9 cm), fork length (maximum size).
(4) Greater amberjack - 34 inches (86.4 cm), fork length, for a fish taken by a person subject to the bag limit specified in § 622.38(b)(1) and 36 inches (91.4 cm), fork length, for a fish taken by a person not subject to the bag limit.
(d) A person aboard a vessel that has a Federal commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish and commercial quantities of Gulf reef fish, i.e., Gulf reef fish in excess of applicable bag/possession limits, may not possess any Gulf reef fish that do not comply with the applicable commercial minimum size limit.