Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of America; Partial Holdback of Commercial Quota for the Deep-Water Grouper Complex

NMFS issues this temporary rule to withhold a portion of the commercial allocation of deep-water grouper (DWG) for the 2026 fishing year in anticipation of the upcoming rulemaking for Amendment 58B to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf (FMP). If approved and implemented, Amendment 58B would, in part, end overfishing of yellowedge grouper and reduce the DWG commercial annual catch limit (ACL) and commercial quota. This temporary rule will withhold a portion of the distribution of DWG individual fishing quota (IFQ) allocation on January 1, 2026, to shareholders in the Groupers and Tilefishes IFQ (GT-IFQ) program in the amount equal to the anticipated reduction in the commercial quota.