Commercial Harvest of Greater Amberjack Closing in the Gulf of Mexico Federal Waters on July 1

Belo FB13-055        Rich Malinowski  727-824-5305   June 19, 2013         Commercial Harvest of Greater Amberjack Closing in the   Gulf of Mexico Federal Waters on July 1   The commercial harvest of greater amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico federal waters will close, effective 12:01 a.m. (local time) July 1, 2013, until 12:01 a.m. (local time) January 1, 2014. NOAA Fisheries has determined the 2013 commercial quota (annual catch target) of 338,158 pounds whole weight of greater amberjack will be caught by this date.   Therefore, beginning 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 1, 2013, all commercial harvest, possession, sale, or purchase of greater amberjack in or from Gulf of Mexico federal waters is prohibited. Any person aboard a vessel for which a commercial vessel permit for Gulf reef fish has been issued must comply with such federal regulations regardless of where the fish are harvested. The prohibition on sale or purchase does not apply to sale or purchase of greater amberjack that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m., local time, July 1, 2013, and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.   This closure is necessary to protect the greater amberjack population. This population is considered overfished (the population is too low) and undergoing overfishing (too many are being caught each year). About Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional Fishery Management Councils established by the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Council prepares fishery management plans, which are designed to manage fishery resources within the 200-mile limit of the Gulf of Mexico.       Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Charlene Ponce Public Information Officer 888-833-1844 ext. 229

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