Recreational amberjack season in Gulf will not reopen in 2016

NOAA says annual catch target has already been harvested

If you were planning on making an amberjack trip in the Gulf of Mexico when the season reopened on Aug. 1, make other plans.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the season will remain closed through Dec. 31, 2016, because the annual catch target of 1,034,442 pounds has already been harvested.

The season will remain closed in federal waters, and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries also announced that the season — which typically reopens on Aug. 1 after closing June 1 – July 31 — will remain closed in state waters, as well.

During the closure, recreational harvest or possession of greater amberjack is prohibited in both state and federal waters.

Limiting the harvest is necessary for the population to recover, according to NOAA.