The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is modifying the gag grouper recreational season in Gulf state waters based on the results of a recent stock assessment and stakeholder concerns about the status of the Gulf gag grouper fishery. A recent stock assessment determined Gulf gag grouper is overfished and undergoing overfishing, and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council recently approved an interim measure to reduce harvest by 78% and modify the 2023 recreational season in federal waters. The purpose of these rule changes for gag grouper is to help end overfishing, improve stock abundance, and ensure future fishing opportunities. The effect of the rule amendment is to modify the recreational gag grouper season to be open from September 1 through November 10 in Gulf state waters.