Key Message:
- Effective January 5, 2026, the 2026 Gulf commercial greater amberjack annual catch limit is 92,816 pounds (lb) whole weight (ww) and the annual catch target is 85,746 lb ww.
- The harvest reduction is effective for the 2026 commercial greater amberjack fishing season, which opened January 1, 2026.
Why This Reduction Is Happening:
- The latest report for 2025 Gulf greater amberjack commercial landings indicates 109,184 lb ww were harvested; 8,184 lb ww greater than the 2025 annual catch limit of 101,000 lb.
- When commercial landings exceed the annual catch limit, an accountability measure set by the Gulf Fishery Management Council and approved and implemented by NOAA Fisheries requires us to reduce the commercial annual catch limit and annual catch target in the year following the overage by the amount of the overage.
- As a result, the 2026 annual catch limit is reduced from 101,000 lb ww to 92,816 lb ww and the annual catch target is reduced from 93,930 lb ww to 85,746 lb ww.
This action is necessary to protect the greater amberjack population. This population is currently considered overfished (the population size is too low).
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 Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
- Gulf 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 Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 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
Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan, 727-385-5202
