Snowy Grouper
Epinephelus niveatus
AKA:
Chocolate Grouper
Managed by: SAFMC
Physical description:
The coloration of this species varies with the size of the fish. Smaller fish are dark brown overall, punctuated with coin-size pearly white spots on the sides. A distinctive black, saddle-shaped blotch occurs on the caudal peduncle and extends down below the the lateral line. Larger snowy groupers usually lose the white spots and caudal saddle and become dark brown with a slight coppery tint. The spiny portion of the dorsal fin has a black margin.
Biological description:
Snowy groupers can be found in the outer continental shelf of the South Atlantic Bight, which is characterized by ridges, terraces and precipitous cliffs. The species is distributed in the western Atlantic from Massachusetts to Brazil, including the Gulf of Mexico, the Lesser Antilles and the northern coast of Cuba. Snowy grouper are protogynous hermaphrodites, spawning from May to June more than 2 million eggs. Fish are capable of reproducing when they are 4 or 5 years old, about 18 to 20 inches long. They may reach a maximum age of 17 years and a weight of 70 pounds. The snowy grouper is territorial, like most groupers, and waits to ambush its prey.
South Atlantic Federal Regulations
(For areas ranging from three to 200 miles off the coasts of NC, SC, GA, and East Florida)
*Note! Effective January 31, 2011, there is a prohibition on harvest and retention of snowy grouper, blueline tilefish, yellowedge grouper, misty grouper, queen snapper, and silk snapper, beyond 240 feet (73 m) in federal waters in the South Atlantic. The recreational bag limit is reduced to 1 fish per vessel per day with an Annual Catch Limit of 523 fish for the recreational fishery. See the Fishery Bulletin and Final Rule for details. The Final Rule includes the waypoints for the deepwater closure.
Commercial:
The following changes in commercial regulations were effective October 23, 2006:
- Reduce the annual commercial quota from 151,000 pounds gutted weight (gw) in 2006 to 118,000 pounds gw in 2007, and 84,000 pounds gw in 2008.
- Reduce the commercial trip limit from 275 pounds gw in 2006 to 175 pounds gw in 2007, and 100 pounds gw in 2008.*
Recreational:
- Included in the 3 grouper per person bag limit.
- Daily limit of one per vessel per day. This fish must count within the 3-grouper per person aggregate bag limit.* (See NOTE above regarding changes effective January 31, 2011)
- Must be landed with head and fins intact.
- Gear restrictions apply.
New! Reminder: Recreational Measures for Snowy Grouper, Golden Tilefish, and Black Sea Bass. See Fishery Bulletin for details regarding Annual Catch Limits and Accountability Measures in place for these species.