Key Message:
NOAA Fisheries reminds recreational fishermen that the Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack recreational fishing season reopens 12:01 a.m., local time, on May 1, 2024, and will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on June 1, 2024.
What this Means:
- The current recreational fishing season for greater amberjack is August 1 through October 31 and May 1 through 31 as set by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and implemented by NOAA Fisheries.
- Recreational greater amberjack has an accountability measure that the fishing season will be closed when the annual catch target is met or projected to be met.
- On June 29, 2023, NOAA Fisheries set a recreational greater amberjack fishing season of August 1 through August 25, 2023, based on projections that the annual catch target would be met at that time.
- Preliminary landings indicate that the recreational greater amberjack annual catch target has not been met and is not projected to be met.
- NOAA Fisheries is currently working on rulemaking that would change the recreational fishing season to September 1 to October 31. However, this rulemaking will not be effective before May 1, 2024.
- Therefore, the recreational fishing season will reopen May 1, 2024.
- The recreational fishing season for greater amberjack will close again during its second seasonal closure, starting June 1, 2024.
SIGN UP FOR TEXT MESSAGE ALERTS - FIND OUT ABOUT IMMEDIATE OPENINGS AND CLOSURES
NOAA's Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery related alerts via text message (SMS). Standard message & data rates may apply. You may opt-out at any time.
Text alerts you may receive include:
- Immediate fishery openings and closures
- Any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly
Sign up for one or more of the following groups:
- Gulf of Mexico Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
- Gulf of Mexico Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text GULFCOMMFISH to 888777
- South Atlantic Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text SATLRECFISH to 888777
- South Atlantic Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text SATLCOMMFISH to 888777
- Caribbean Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text CARIBFISH to 888777
Quick Glance Contact List for the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office
Permits Mailbox: The Permits Office in St. Petersburg, Florida now has a Permits mailbox in the front lobby (263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701). You can now drop off original permits for permit transfers. Envelopes with information labels will be provided so that your documents can be attached to the correct application. The mailbox will be checked daily. For more information contact the Permits Office at 877-376-4877.
Other contacts:
Media: Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750
Sean Meehan, 727-385-5202
