Today, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced that the recreational greater amberjack season will remain closed in Louisiana waters. The recreational season was originally scheduled to re-open on August 1, after the June 1 - July 30 seasonal closure.
NOAA Fisheries has determined that the annual recreational catch target of 1,034,442 pounds has already been harvested, and the closure is necessary to prevent further harvest. NOAA Fisheries has determined that the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico will not reopen as scheduled on August 1.
During the closure, recreational harvest or possession of greater amberjack is prohibited in state and federal waters. This closure is necessary to protect the greater amberjack resource. The greater amberjack population is considered overfished (the population is too low) and limiting harvest is necessary for the population to recover.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Secretary Charlie Melancon was authorized by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission in previously promulgated (LAC 76.VII.335.G.5) rules to change or modify the opening and closing dates for any recreational reef fish season in Louisiana waters when notified by NOAA Fisheries.
For more information, contact Jason Adriance at (504) 284-2032 or jadriance @wlf.la.gov. For press inquiries, contact Ashley Wethey at (225) 765-2396 or awethey@wlf.la.gov.