Purpose


The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is modifying greater amberjack recreational and commercial regulation limits in Atlantic state waters based on the results of a recent stock assessment and stakeholder feedback about the Atlantic greater amberjack fishery. A recent stock assessment determined Atlantic greater amberjack is not overfished or undergoing overfishing, and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council recently took action to amend greater amberjack commercial and recreational regulations. The purpose of these rule changes is to modify greater amberjack commercial and recreational regulations in Atlantic state waters to provide additional conservation benefits and harvest opportunities. The effect of the rule amendments for greater amberjack is to reduce the commercial size limit from 36 to 34 inches fork length for Atlantic state waters, reduce the statewide import size limit from 36 to 34 inches fork length, establish a recreational spawning season closure in April for Atlantic state waters, and remove outdated commercial language.