Fish species open, close on Jan. 1
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds anglers of species harvest openings and closings effective on Jan. 1.
The recreational harvest of greater amberjack and gray triggerfish reopen to harvest in Gulf state and federal waters on New Year’s Day and the greater amberjack size limit will change from 30 inches to 34 inches fork length in Gulf state and federal waters on Jan. 4.
Recent stock assessments have indicated that greater amberjack and gray triggerfish in the Gulf of Mexico are overfished, which means there are not enough fish for these populations to remain sustainable.
Greater amberjack season closed early on Sept. 28 in Gulf federal waters and Nov. 21 in Gulf state waters. These closures were intended to help prevent exceeding the annual federal recreational quota. A quota is the poundage of fish that can be caught each year while maintaining a sustainable fishery.
Changing the greater amberjack minimum size limit will help ensure more female greater amberjack are left in the water and have a chance to reproduce before being harvested. Fork length is measured from the tip of the lower jaw to the center of the fork in the tail.
Gray triggerfish harvesting closed early on Feb. 7 in Gulf state and federal waters after NOAA Fisheries determined that the recreational quota was exceeded in both 2013 and 2014, and the 2015 recreational quota is projected to be met. The 2015 early state waters closure was intended to help limit future early season closures and rebuild the stock.
Several species of grouper harvest closes to recreational and commercial harvest in Florida state waters in the Atlantic, including Monroe County, on New Year’s Day. This closure includes gag, black, red, yellowmouth, yellowfin and tiger grouper, also scamp, red hind, rock hind, coney and graysby. The harvest of these species of grouper in Atlantic state waters will remain closed until reopening on May 1.
A similar closure also occurs in federal waters of the Atlantic. Tiger grouper is not included in the federal closure.
State waters in the Atlantic are from shore out to 3 nautical miles.
To learn more on fishing regulations visit myfwd.com/fishing.