The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is considering modifying Greater Amberjack Catch Limits and Allocations. Proposed modifications are based on results of the most recent greater amberjack stock assessment (SEDAR 70) which determined that greater amberjack is both overfished and experiencing overfishing. Additionally, new recreational catch estimates collected using the Marine Recreational Information Programs (MRIP) Fishing Effort Survey (FES) indicated that recreational landings are greater than previously estimated. The Council is obligated to end overfishing, revise the rebuilding plan for greater amberjack by spring of 2023, and ensure that management measures, including the overfishing limit, acceptable biological catch, annual catch limits, annual catch targets, and allocations are based on the best available scientific information.
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council would like your input on the actions and alternatives that are under consideration. Please use the following resources to learn about what we are considering. Send us your comments by October 11, 2022 so we can summarize and present them to the Council before it takes final action at the October 2022 Council Meeting.