For local seafood enthusiasts and restaurant-goers, amberjack has long been a celebrated menu staple across the Gulf Coast. The commercial harvest of greater amberjack in federal waters of the Gulf of America is set to close at 12:01 a.m. local time on Aug. 8, 2026.
The closure comes as NOAA Fisheries determined that landings data show the commercial annual catch target for the species has been met. Under current regulations, harvest must cease once the target is reached or projected to be met, in order to ensure the long-term sustainability of the population, which is currently classified as overfished.
On Feb. 5, 2026, the 2026 commercial greater amberjack annual catch limit and annual catch target were reduced to 92,816 pounds and 85,746 pounds, respectively.
The closure will remain in effect through the remainder of the year, with the fishery scheduled to reopen Jan. 1, 2027, for the 2027 fishing year.