Effective January 1, 2024, the 2024 Gulf of Mexico commercial greater amberjack annual catch limit is 65,720 pounds (lbs) and the annual catch target is 58,650 lbs.
The harvest reduction is effective for the 2024 commercial greater amberjack fishing season, which opens January 1, 2024.
Why This Reduction Is Happening:
The latest report for 2023 Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack commercial landings indicates 136,280 lbs were harvested; 35,280 lbs greater than the 2023 annual catch limit of 101,000 lbs.
A commercial post-season accountability measure requires a reduction in the next fishing year’s annual catch limit by the amount of the previous year’s annual catch limit overage with the annual catch target being adjusted accordingly.
As a result, the 2024 annual catch limit is reduced from 101,000 lbs to 65,720 lbs and the annual catch target is reduced from 93,930 lbs to 58,650 lbs.
This action is necessary to protect the greater amberjack population. This population is currently considered overfished (the population size is too low) and undergoing overfishing (too many fish being harvested).