NOAA says season won’t reopen until Jan. 1, 2018
The recreational amberjack season in the Gulf of Mexico will close in federal waters at 12:01 a.m. on March 24, and will remain closed until Jan. 1, 2018, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
In a press release, NOAA said the 1,255,600-pound whole weight recreational catch limit for 2016 was exceeded, so the 2017 limit was reduced.
Based on available data, NOAA Fisheries projects the 335,741-pound catch target for 2017 will be reached by March 24 and the season will close until next year.
