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 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—(1) [Reserved]

(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 36 inches (91.4 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]