(PRESS RELEASE) NOAA Fisheries reminds recreational fisherman that the Gulf of Mexico gray triggerfish and greater amberjack recreational fishing seasons reopen August 1 at 12:01 a.m., local time.
For gray triggerfish:
- The recreational fixed closed seasons are January 1 through the end of February and June 1 through July 31.
- Continued fishing for gray triggerfish will depend on the level of landings. When landings reach or are expected to reach the recreational annual catch limit, the season will be closed until March 1, 2019. If a closure is necessary, NOAA Fisheries will publish a bulletin alerting fishermen of the date and time.
- The recreational bag limit is one gray triggerfish per angler per day within the 20-reef fish aggregate bag limit.
- The recreational minimum size limit is 15 inches fork length.
For greater amberjack:
- The fishing season was changed in 2017 to be August 1 through July 31. The recreational fixed closed seasons are November 1 through April 30 and June 1 through July 31.
- The recreational bag limit is one greater amberjack per angler per day.
- The recreational minimum size limit is 34 inches fork length.
For all reef fish:
- Federally permitted for-hire captains and crew are prohibited from retaining bag limits of any gray triggerfish, greater amberjack, or other federally managed reef fish while under charter.
- Federally permitted for-hire reef fish vessels must comply with the more restrictive of federal or state reef fish regulations when fishing for reef fish in state waters.
