The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) determined that a recent stock assessment found the South Atlantic greater amberjack stock is not overfished or undergoing overfishing.
It’s good news for anglers because the FWC approved a rule at its May meeting to modify recreational and commercial regulations for greater amberjack size in Atlantic state waters.
The FWC said the modifications would provide additional conservation benefits and harvest opportunities in Atlantic state waters.
Here are the modifications:
- Reduce the commercial size limit from 36 to 34 inches fork length,
- Reduce the import size limit statewide from 36 inches to 34 inches fork length,
- Establish a recreational spawning season closure in April (consistent with the current federal commercial closure), and
- Remove outdated commercial language.
“Last year, the South Atlantic Council approved changes for greater amberjack, including increasing quotas and modifying commercial and recreational management changes,” the FWC said.
The FWC also stated that cooperative greater amberjack management between Atlantic state and federal waters is necessary to provide additional harvest opportunities and conservation benefits and help ensure the stock remains sustainable for the future.
The modifications to the amberjack regulations will go into effect at a later date once the U.S. Secretary of Commerce has implemented pending federal regulations.