Gulf Council Changes Amberjack Regs

NOAA Fisheries announces implementation of the final rule for recreational and commercial greater amberjack management measures in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf). Regulations modifying the recreational fixed closed season become effective on August 1, 2024. All other regulations in this rule become effective on August 21, 2024.

Summary of Changes:

The final rule will:

*Revise the Gulf greater amberjack recreational fixed closed season from November 1-April 30 and June 1-July 31 (open August 1-October 31 and May 1-31) to the new fixed closed season of August 1-31 and November 1-July 31 (open September 1-October 31), and
*Reduce the commercial trip limit from 1,000 pounds (lb) gutted weight (gw) with a step down to 250 lb gw when 75% of the annual catch target is reached to 7 fish (estimate 210 lb gw equivalent).
*Clarify language related to the Gulf red snapper federal charter vessel/headboat component fishing allowances.
Recreational Fixed Closed Season Being Implemented

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is the recreational fixed closed season changing?
Gulf greater amberjack has been in a rebuilding plan since 2002.

The most recent Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) population assessment for Gulf greater amberjack, known as the SEDAR 70, showed the stock continued to be overfished and was now subject to overfishing.

To meet the current stock rebuilding timeline of 2027, catch limits had to be substantially reduced.
NOAA Fisheries implemented Amendment 54 to the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Reef Fish FMP), which revised the Gulf greater amberjack catch limits, sector allocation, and rebuilding plan.
During public comment, recreational fishers indicated a preference for as long of a fishing season as possible.

A recreational fixed closed season of June 1-July 31 was established in 2011 and modified to January 1-June 30 in January 2018. This closed season was later modified to November 1-April 30 and June 1-July 31 in April 2018 as a means to extend the fishing season under reduced catch limits, provide access to the resource, and assist with rebuilding the stock. However, substantial decreases in the catch limits implemented with the final rule for Amendment 54 require further modification of the fixed closed season to extend the fishing season.

Under the current fixed closed season, which would allow fishing to begin on August 1, a fishing season of only three weeks per year is projected.

The revised fixed closed season of August 1-31 and November 1-July 31 will provide for the longest possible open season (estimated two months) under the substantially reduced catch limits recently implemented by the final rule for Amendment 54, protect the greater amberjack population during its spawning season, and allow for stock rebuilding.

What is the new commercial trip limit?

During public comment, commercial fishers indicated a preference for as long of a fishing season as possible, since incidentally caught greater amberjack must be discarded if the season is closed.

A commercial trip limit of 2,000 lb whole weight (1,923 lb gw) was established in 2013, was reduced to a trip limit of 1,500 lb gw in 2016, and again to 1,000 lb gw with a step-down provision to 250 lb gw when 75 percent of the quota is harvested in 2020, with the intent to extend the fishing season under reduced catch limits. However, substantial decreases in the catch limits implemented with the final rule for Amendment 54 require further reductions in the trip limit to extend the fishing season.

Under the current commercial trip limit, a fishing season of only two months per year is projected.
The reduction in the commercial trip limit to 7 fish is expected to extend the Gulf greater amberjack commercial fishing season into June or beyond, while still protecting the population during its spawning season and allowing the stock to rebuild.

Where can I find more information on the Framework Action?

Contact NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office
By Mail: Daniel Luers

NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office Sustainable Fisheries Division 263 13th Avenue South St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505

By FAX: (727) 824-5308

By Phone: (727) 824-5305

Additional Management Measures not contained in the Framework Action

• This final rule clarifies language related to the Gulf red snapper federal charter vessel/headboat component fishing allowances.
• Since 2015, the federal charter vessel/headboat quota and annual catch target apply “to vessels that have been issued a valid federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish any time during the fishing year.”
• Consistent with Amendment 40 to the Reef Fish FMP and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s intent, NOAA Fisheries clarifies in the respective red snapper charter vessel/headboat quota and annual catch target regulations that, “When the Federal charter vessel/headboat component is open, a person on board a vessel that has been issued a charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish at any time during the fishing year may harvest or possess red snapper in or from the Gulf only when the vessel is operating as a charter vessel or headboat.”
• Thus, a Federal charter/headboat vessel cannot harvest red snapper on a private angling trip even if the Federal charter vessel/headboat component season is open, or if it is closed but the red snapper private angler season is still open.
• Furthermore, the clarification communicates that no Gulf red snapper recreational private angler bag limit is allowed when a Federally permitted Gulf reef fish charter vessel/headboat is operating as a private angling vessel on a private angling trip regardless if the charter vessel/headboat component season is open or closed.