Atlantic Snook and Gulf Amberjack Close in Florida’s Waters
The recreational harvest of snook in Atlantic state and federal waters and of greater amberjack in Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters closes June 1.
Snook will reopen for harvest in Atlantic federal, state and inland waters, including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River, Sept. 1. Snook remains closed for harvest in Gulf of Mexico state waters including Everglades National Park and Monroe County through Aug. 31. A stock assessment on snook will be presented to the FWC Commission at its June 27-28 meeting in West Palm Beach.
Greater amberjack will reopen for harvest in Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters Aug. 1.
State waters in the Atlantic extend from shore to three nautical miles and in the Gulf from shore to nine nautical miles.
Seasonal harvest closures protect Florida’s valuable snook and greater amberjack populations and help sustain and improve the fishery for the future.
Learn more about recreational fishing at MyFWC.com/Fishing by clicking on “Saltwater” and “Recreational Regulations.”
The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission came into existence on July 1, 1999 - the result of a constitutional amendment approved in the 1998 General Election as part of the package proposed by the Constitution Revision Commission.
In the implementation of the Constitutional Amendment, the Florida Legislature combined all of the staff and Commissioners of the former Marine Fisheries Commission, elements of the Divisions of Marine Resources and Law Enforcement of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and all of the employees and Commissioners of the former Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission.
Five years later, after consulting stakeholders, employees and other interested parties, the FWC adopted a new internal structure to address complex conservation issues of the new century. The new structure focuses on programs, such as habitat management, that affect numerous species. It will focus on moving the decision-making process closer to the public and did not require any additional funding or additional positions.
