What's next? Pinfish closure?
Posted: October 20th, 2009, 7:48 am
Recreational closure for greater amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico
By NOAA
Mon, Oct 19, 2009
In 2008, NOAA Fisheries Service implemented a recreational quota of 1.368 million pounds for greater amberjack harvested in the Gulf of Mexico. Recreational landings data indicate the recreational quota has been met. Therefore, in accordance with the regulations, beginning at 12:01 a.m., local time, on October 24, 2009, the recreational fishery for greater amberjack in federal waters is closed. The recreational harvest and possession of greater amberjack in or from federal waters will be prohibited through the end of the current fishing year, December 31, 2009. A person aboard a vessel for which a federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued must also abide by this provision in state waters.
NOAA Fisheries Service has determined this action is necessary to prevent overfishing and to keep the recreational sector from exceeding its quota during the 2009 fishing year.
If despite the closure, recreational landings exceed the quota, NOAA Fisheries Service will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the 2010 fishing year, to reduce the length of the recreational fishing season for the 2010 fishing year by the amount necessary to recover the overage from the prior fishing year. This action is required by regulations implemented under the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico.
By NOAA
Mon, Oct 19, 2009
In 2008, NOAA Fisheries Service implemented a recreational quota of 1.368 million pounds for greater amberjack harvested in the Gulf of Mexico. Recreational landings data indicate the recreational quota has been met. Therefore, in accordance with the regulations, beginning at 12:01 a.m., local time, on October 24, 2009, the recreational fishery for greater amberjack in federal waters is closed. The recreational harvest and possession of greater amberjack in or from federal waters will be prohibited through the end of the current fishing year, December 31, 2009. A person aboard a vessel for which a federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued must also abide by this provision in state waters.
NOAA Fisheries Service has determined this action is necessary to prevent overfishing and to keep the recreational sector from exceeding its quota during the 2009 fishing year.
If despite the closure, recreational landings exceed the quota, NOAA Fisheries Service will file a notification with the Office of the Federal Register, at or near the beginning of the 2010 fishing year, to reduce the length of the recreational fishing season for the 2010 fishing year by the amount necessary to recover the overage from the prior fishing year. This action is required by regulations implemented under the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico.
