Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has issued a Declaration of Emergency to align the recreational Red Grouper season closure with modifications recently made by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This action modifies the state recreational fishing season for Gulf Red Grouper so that it closes on June 30 instead of December 31 in order to match the federal season closure.

This change is necessary because NOAA Fisheries is projecting the recreational annual catch target of 1,840,000 pounds gutted weight will be met on June 30, 2024. 

After the closure of the season, recreational harvest or possession of Red Grouper is prohibited in state and federal waters. The prohibition on possession of Gulf of Mexico Red Grouper also applies in Gulf of Mexico state waters for a vessel issued a valid federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf of Mexico reef fish. According to NOAA, the closure is necessary to prevent overfishing of the Red Grouper resource.