NOAA Fisheries Announces Commercial Trip Limit Change and Commercial Fishing Closure for Greater Amberjack in Federal Waters of the Gulf of Mexico

What/When:

• The daily trip limit for the commercial harvest of greater amberjack in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico will change from 7 fish to 250 pounds gutted weight, effective 12:01 a.m., local time, on June 16, 2024.
• The commercial harvest of greater amberjack in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on June 30, 2024. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of greater amberjack is prohibited.  The commercial fishing season for greater amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico will open again on January 1, 2025.

Why the Commercial Trip Limit Change is Happening:

• Effective January 1, 2024, an emergency rule reduced the commercial trip limit for greater amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico to seven fish from the current trip limit of 1,000 pounds gutted weight with a step-down to 250 pounds gutted weight when 75% of the commercial annual catch target has been harvested.
• The emergency rule expires on June 15, 2024, and the trip limit will revert to the previous regulations.
• NOAA Fisheries has determined 75% of the commercial annual catch target will be landed by June 15, 2024, so the trip limit will be 250 pounds gutted weight from June 16, 2024, until harvest for greater amberjack closes at 12:01 a.m., local time, on June 30, 2024.

Why the Closure is Happening:

• Effective January 1, 2024, the commercial annual catch limit for Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack is 65,720 pounds whole weight and the annual catch target is 58,650 pounds whole weight.
• The commercial sector was closed from March 1, 2024, through May 31, 2024. Based on the 250 pound gutted weight trip limit, commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial annual catch target on June 30, 2024.  According to the accountability measure, commercial harvest must close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 50 CFR part 622 or at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-VI/part-622/subpart-B/.