Louisiana’s Greater Amberjack Commercial Season to Close
OutdoorHub 04.08.12
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the 2012 commercial fishing season for greater amberjack will remain closed in state waters following the annual closed season (March 1 to June 1) until January 1, 2013 at 12:01 a.m., when it is scheduled to re-open.
Following a review of current landings, data indicates the 2012 quota of 237,000 pounds has been met. Louisiana commercial landings of greater amberjack average 100,000 pounds annually.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that federal waters will also remain closed to commercial amberjack fishing for the remainder of 2012.
Greater amberjack are found throughout the Gulf of Mexico as well as in the temperate and tropical Atlantic Ocean. Greater amberjack usually live in nearshore waters out to 300 feet deep. This species is often found near offshore platforms, wrecks and artificial reefs. Greater amberjack can reach sizes of 6 feet in length and weights of 120 pounds in the Gulf of Mexico.