The federal government imposed new limits on the commercial harvest of deep water grouper two weeks ago because of concerns about dwindling fish stocks.
Bob Jones with the Southeastern Fisheries Association says any shortage in the Florida catch can be made up from other sources.
"There is a possibility of having a shortage of domestically produced Florida grouper. There won't ever be a shortage of grouper because other grouper are caught in significant amounts in other parts of the world and are already on our market and will stay on our market."
Commercial fishermen can still go after shallow water grouper and there appears to be an abundant supply, so much so that there has been little, if any change in the cost of grouper since the new limits took effect.
In fact, one seafood dealer in the area says they have more grouper now then they know what to do with.
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