Gulf of Mexico Recreational Fisheries to Open January 1, 2015

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council reminds recreational anglers that red grouper, greater amberjack, and gray triggerfish will reopen January 1, 2015.

Red grouper has a 20 inch total length size limit. The bag limit will remain 4-fish per person until a pending rule reducing the bag limit to 2 fish is approved and implemented. The harvest of red grouper is prohibited when fishing beyond the 20-fathom break from February 1 – March 31 (see map below).

Gray triggerfish and greater amberjack have an annual seasonal closure of June 1 – July 31. Size and bag limits are as follows:

Gray triggerfish        14 inch fork length

2 per person/part of the 20-reef fish aggregate

Greater amberjack   30 inch fork length

1 per person

All three species have accountability measures in place that require the Regional Administrator to initiate an in-season closure if the quota is met or projected to be met.