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.
For more information:
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
For more information:
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