Section 622.185 - Size limitsAll 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 South Atlantic 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.
(a)Snapper - (2)Vermilion snapper -12 inches (30.5 cm), TL.(3)Cubera, gray, and yellowtail snappers -12 inches (30.5 cm), TL.(4)Mutton snapper -18 inches (45.7 cm), TL.(5)Lane snapper -8 inches (20.3 cm), TL.(b)Grouper -(1)Red, yellowfin, and yellowmouth grouper; and scamp -20 inches (50.8 cm), TL.(2)Black grouper and gag -24 inches (61.0 cm), TL.(c)Other snapper-grouper species -(1)Black sea bass.(i) For a fish taken by a person subject to the bag limit specified in § 622.187(b)(7) -13 inches (33 cm), TL.(ii) For a fish taken by a person not subject to the bag limit specified in § 622.187(b)(7) -11 inches (28 cm), TL.(2)Gray triggerfish -12 inches (30.5 cm), FL.(3)Hogfish.(i) In the South Atlantic EEZ off Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina-17 inches (43.2 cm), fork length.(ii) In the South Atlantic EEZ off the Florida Keys and east coast of Florida, and in the Gulf EEZ south of 25°09' N. lat. off the west coast of Florida-16 inches (40.6 cm), fork length.(4)Red porgy -14 inches (35.6 cm), TL.(5)Greater amberjack -28 inches (71.1 cm), fork length, for a fish taken by a person subject to the bag limit specified in § 622.187(b)(1) and 34 inches (86.4 cm), fork length, for a fish taken by a person not subject to the bag limit.(6)Almaco jack. For a fish taken by a person not subject to the bag limit specified in § 622.187(b)(8) -20 inches (50.8 cm), FL. 78 FR 22952 , Apr. 17, 2013, as amended at 78 FR 44465 , July 24, 2013; 80 FR 30952 , June 1, 2015; 81 FR 32253 , May 23, 2016; 82 FR 34594 , July 25, 2017; 83 FR 1309 , Jan. 11, 2018; 85 FR 4594 , Jan. 27, 2020; 85 FR 11309 , Feb. 27, 2020; 88 FR 65822 , Sept. 26, 2023 81 FR 32253 , 5/23/2016; 82 FR 34594 , 8/24/2017; 83 FR 1309 , 2/10/2018; 85 FR 4594 , 1/27/2020; 85 FR 11309 , 3/30/2020; 88 FR 65822 , 10/26/2023