The 2014 landings data indicate the 409,000-pound commercial annual catch target and the 888,839-pound recreational annual catch target will be harvested by August 24, 2014.
During the closure:
- Commercial harvest or possession of greater amberjack is prohibited.
- Recreational harvest or possession of greater amberjack is prohibited.
- The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a valid Gulf of Mexico commercial reef fish vessel permit or a reef fish charter/headboat permit.
This closure is necessary to protect the greater amberjack resource. This population is considered overfished (the population is too low).