News Release

Sport fishing for greater amberjack set to close in Gulf federal waters

October 20, 2009
Contact: Lee Schlesinger, 850-487-0554

The recreational harvest and possession of greater amberjack in or from federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico will be prohibited from Oct. 24 through Dec. 31.  Federal waters extend beyond nine nautical miles from shore in the Gulf off Florida.  The National Marine Fisheries Service announced this closure because an established annual recreational harvest quota for greater amberjack in the Gulf has been met.

In addition, a person aboard a vessel for which a federal charter vessel/head boat permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued must also abide by this closure provision in Florida state waters.  This action is required by regulations implemented under the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico.

However, all other recreational anglers may still harvest 1 greater amberjack of at least 30 inches fork length daily per person in Gulf state waters off Florida (within nine nautical miles from shore) under Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rules.