Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of America, and South Atlantic; Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of America; 2026-2027 Recreational Closure for Greater Amberjack
Key claim: NMFS is closing the 2026-2027 Gulf of America recreational greater amberjack fishing season on October 14, 2026, after projecting that the annual catch target will be reached by that date.
Abstract
(Rule · Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) NMFS implements an accountability measure (AM) for the recreational harvest of greater amberjack in Federal waters of the Gulf of America (Gulf). The 2026-2027 fishing season for greater amberjack begins on September 1, 2026. NMFS has projected that recreational landings of greater amberjack will reach the annual catch target (ACT) by October 14, 2026. Therefore, the recreational fishing season will be open from September 1 through October 13 and will close on October 14, 2026. NMFS implements this recreational AM to protect the greater amberjack resource.
Why this matters
NMFS is closing the 2026-2027 Gulf of America recreational greater amberjack fishing season on October 14, 2026, after projecting that the annual catch target will be reached by that date.