Population considered overfished, closure necessary, LDWF says
Less than a week after the NOAA Fisheries shut down amberjack season in federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the recreational season will also close in state waters on March 30.
Anglers can fish all day on Wednesday, March 29, with the season officially closing at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, March 30, according to Rene LeBreton with LDWF.
NOAA Fisheries has projected that the adjusted annual recreational catch limit of 335,741 pounds will be harvested, and the closure is necessary to prevent further harvest, according to a press release.
Previous annual catch limit overruns in 2016 led to a reduction in the 2017 recreational quota (1,255,600 pounds to 335,741 pounds).
Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico are scheduled to reopen on January 1, 2018, the release states.
During the closure, recreational harvest or possession of greater amberjack is prohibited in state and federal waters. The recreational amberjack season in federal waters closed on March 24.