.
Louisiana Fisheries
Current NewsAbout UsBiological InfoManagement InfoHabitat Info
Louisiana Fisherman Professionalism ProgramAquaculture InfoLegal & Socio-Economic Issues
Fisheries & PeopleResources & PublicationsFisheries FAQsSearch
LSU AgCenter Louisiana Sea Grant Louisiana Fisheries Louisiana Fisheries

Home > Current News > 2009

News: 2009

Commercial Fishery for Greater Amberjack in Louisiana Waters to Close 12:01 A.M., Local TIme, Nov. 7, 2009 Until Jan. 1, 2010
Posted: 3/13/09

The commercial fishery for greater amberjack in Louisiana waters will close at 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 7, 2009 and will remain closed until Jan. 1, 2010. 

The decision was made by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Secretary Robert Barham, following notification by NOAA Fisheries that the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico will close for the commercial harvest of greater amberjack from 12:01 a.m., Nov 7 until 12:01 a.m., Jan 1, 2010, and per a request from NOAA Fisheries.

Regulations for the greater amberjack fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico include a commercial quota.  Based on reported landings, NOAA Fisheries will close the greater amberjack commercial fishery in federal waters off Louisiana at 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 7, 2009, and requested that LDWF enact compatible rules.  NOAA Fisheries requested consistent regulations for Louisiana waters to enhance effectiveness and enforceability of regulations. 

Secretary Barham was authorized by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission at their January, 2009 meeting to take this action to provide consistent regulations between state and adjacent federal waters, and noted that the season closure is necessary to prevent overfishing of the species assemblage.

The commission also authorized LDWF Secretary Barham to change or modify opening and closing dates for commercial reef fish seasons in Louisiana waters to comply with changes or modifications in season dates in federal waters.  The commission's actions ensure that regulations in state waters will mirror regulations of NMFS for federally managed waters. 

After the closure, all commercial harvest, possession, purchase, barter, trade, sale or attempts to purchase, barter, trade or sell greater amberjack is prohibited until 12:01 a.m., Jan. 1, 2010, the date set for the opening of the 2010 season.  The prohibition on sale/purchase of tilefishes during the closure does not apply to those that were harvested, landed ashore and sold prior to the effective date of the closure and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor provided appropriate records in accordance with R.S. 56:306.5 and 56:306.6 are properly maintained.

Back to Main

 


Louisiana Fisheries Louisiana Sea Grant LSU AgCenter