Proposed Rule to Establish a Fixed Closed Season for Gulf of Mexico Greater Amberjack

NOAA Fisheries Service has published a proposed rule that, if approved and implemented, would establish a June 1 through July 31 seasonal closure for recreational harvest of greater amberjack in or from the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) federal waters.

The intended effect of the proposed rule is to maintain the rebuilding plan targets for the overfished greater amberjack resource, reduce the likelihood of exceeding the recreational quota for greater amberjack, minimize in-season quota closures for greater amberjack during peak recreational fishing months, and increase social and economic benefits for Gulf recreational fishers by maximizing the number of fishing days available to the recreational sector.

For details, see:

http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/bulletins/pdfs/2011/FB11-003%20Proposed%20Rule%20to%20Establish%20a%20Fixed%20Closed%20Season%20for%20Recreational%20Greater%20Amberjack.pdf