Recreational Closure for Greater Amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico
October 19, 2009 - Orange Beach, AL (OBA) - In 2008, NOAA Fisheries Service implemented a
recreational quota of 1.368 million pounds for greater
amberjack harvested in the Gulf of Mexico.
Recreational landings data indicate the recreational
quota has been met. Therefore, in accordance with the
regulations, beginning at 12:01 a.m., local time, on
October 24, 2009, the recreational fishery for greater
amberjack in federal waters is closed.
The
recreational harvest and possession of greater amberjack
in or from federal waters will be prohibited through the
end of the current fishing year, December 31, 2009. A
person aboard a vessel for which a federal charter
vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued
must also abide by this provision in state waters.
Recreational Anglers with Amberjack Catch
NOAA Fisheries Service has determined this action is
necessary to prevent overfishing and to keep the
recreational sector from exceeding its quota during the
2009 fishing year.
If despite the closure, recreational landings exceed the
quota, NOAA Fisheries Service will file a notification
with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the
beginning of the 2010 fishing year, to reduce the length
of the recreational fishing season for the 2010 fishing
year by the amount necessary to recover the overage
from the prior fishing year. This action is required by
regulations implemented under the Fishery Management
Plan for Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico.
Recreational Fishing for Amberjack in the Gulf to Close
