New Regulations in the Gulf
Updated April 29, 2011
Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack is overfished and undergoing overfishing. Current federal regulations require in-season closures when quota allocations are met. NOAA Fisheries Service determined that the recreational sector met its 2009 quota of 1.368 million pounds at the end of August 2009. As a result, the greater amberjack fishery in Gulf federal waters was closed from October 24 through December 31, 2009. NOAA Fisheries Service determined this action was necessary to prevent overfishing and to keep the recreational sector from exceeding its quota during the 2009 fishing year. For 2010, the recreational quota for greater amberjack was reduced to 1,243,184 lbs to account for a 9% quota overrun in 2009.
NOAA Fisheries service has published a final rule to establish a June 1 through July 31 seasonal closure for recreational harvest of greater amberjack in or from Gulf of Mexico federal waters. The intended effect of this closure is to maintain the rebuilding plan targets for the overfished greater amberjack, reduce the likelihood of exceeding the recreational quota for greater amberjack, minimize the length of in-season quota closures during peak recreational fishing months, and increase social and economic benefits for Gulf recreational fishers by maximizing the number of fishing days available to the recreational sector.
The FWC ruled at the April 2011 Commission meeting to adopt a consistent closed recreational season for greater amberjack from June 1 through July 31. This will close the amberjack season during the open recreational red snapper season, thus minimizing the economic and social impacts of the closure and allowing for continued harvest of amberjack after red snapper closes.
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Current Greater Amberjack Regulations
Reef fish gear rules are in effect for these species in Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic waters.
Gulf of Mexico State and Federal Waters
- Recreational minimum size limit of 30 inches fork length
- Recreational bag lmit of one fish per harvester per day
- Zero bag limit for captain/crew of for-hire vessels
- June 1 through July 31 annual closure
- Annual catch limit allows for in-season adjustments or closure if quota is met or exceeded
- Quotas: 313,900 pounds for commercial, 1,315,225 pounds for recreational
Atlantic State and Federal Waters
- Recreational minimum size limit of 28 inches fork length
- Recreational bag limit of one fish per harvester per day
Current Gray Triggerfish Regulations
Gulf of Mexico State and Federal Waters
- Recreational and commercial minimum size of 14 inches fork length
- Annual catch limit allows for in-season adjustments or closures if quota is met or exceeded
- Commercial quota: 106,000 pounds
Atlantic State and Federal Waters
- Recreational minimum size limit of 12 inches total length
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