Allowable catch will be cut for greater amberjack

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council plans to lower the allowable catch for greater amberjack and are now discussing how best to do that.

Greater Amberjack has been under a rebuilding plan since 2003 after a stock assessment determined it was overfished.

The current catch limit is nearly 1.9 million pounds a year, but a recent stock assessment found the species can’t sustain that level of fishing.

Now the council plans to cut the annual catch to about 1.7 million pounds and there are a number of options for reaching that number either through trip limits or a shorter fishing season.

The council is leaning toward a longer closed season but will get input from the public before making a final decision.

Public hearings on the issue will be held along the Gulf Coast later this year.

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