Nassau grouperin North Carolina
Epinephelus striatus
The rule in North Carolina
North Carolina’s own rule for Nassau grouper in state waters, out to 3 nautical miles.
Prohibited in NC coastal and joint waters; also prohibited under SAFMC federal rules.
NC DMF 2026· checked Put it back
Beyond 3 miles: federal waters
A different rule past the 3-mile line, written by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Where the two differ, the water you are in decides.
Must be released immediately.
SAFMC / NOAA SERO 2026 · checked 2026-09-16
How to tell it
Five dark bars, tuning-fork mark on the forehead, dark saddle on the tail base. More on the Nassau grouper page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Nassau grouper in other states
In the app
Point the camera at a Nassau grouper in North Carolina and this rule is on the screen before you take the picture. No signal needed.
Get the appNassau grouper in North Carolina: the questions
Can you keep Nassau grouper in North Carolina?
No. Harvest is prohibited in North Carolina. Release it in the water where you can. Prohibited in NC coastal and joint waters; also prohibited under SAFMC federal rules.
How current is this North Carolina Nassau grouper rule?
Source: NC DMF 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.