Greater amberjack fishing banned early: Gulf fish say 'no more'
Published Date: 8/5/2026
Rule
Summary
NMFS is closing the 2026 commercial fishing season for greater amberjack in the Gulf of America (Gulf). Federal regulations require NMFS to close commercial harvest for greater amberjack if landings reach the commercial annual catch target (ACT) during the fishing year, which NMFS has projected will occur by August 5, 2026. The commercial closure for greater amberjack will remain closed through the rest of 2026. This action is necessary to protect the greater amberjack resource in the Gulf.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Greater Amberjack Commercial Closure Aug–Dec
If you commercially fish or buy greater amberjack from Gulf Federal waters, commercial harvest is closed from August 8, 2026, through December 31, 2026. During the closure, the sale or purchase of greater amberjack taken from Gulf Federal waters is prohibited, except for fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold before this rule and held in cold storage by a dealer or processor. Commercial harvest will re-open on January 1, 2027.
Reduced 2026 Gulf Amberjack Quotas
For the rest of the 2026 fishing year (through December 31, 2026), the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for Gulf greater amberjack is 92,816 lb and the commercial annual catch target (ACT) is 85,746 lb. Previously the ACL and ACT were 101,000 lb and 93,930 lb; NMFS reduced the commercial harvest levels on February 5, 2026, because 2025 commercial landings exceeded the ACL.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-14204, Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; Delay of Effective Date
NOAA is giving everyone more time before the rule that bans grappling or anchoring on Lake Ontario shipwrecks kicks in. Instead of starting in July 2026, this rule is now delayed until September 2028 to let NOAA set up mooring buoys and work with divers and boaters. This means boaters and commercial vessels can keep anchoring safely while NOAA gets everything ready without rushing.
2026-14195, Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are wiping away the official definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act starting September 14, 2026. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered plants and animals by shifting how “harm” is understood and enforced. It’s a big move that could change how projects and protections are handled, but no new costs or deadlines are added right now.
2026-05599, Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Hearings
NOAA got two applications from companies wanting to explore mining deep under the ocean floor. They’re holding virtual public meetings in April and want your thoughts by May 22, 2026. This affects anyone interested in ocean mining and how we protect our seas while exploring new resources.
2026-04256, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Starting April 3, 2026, new rules change shark fishing zones and times in the Atlantic to better protect sharks and manage fishing risks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear will see updated area boundaries and must pay for electronic monitoring if fishing in certain safer zones. These changes help keep shark populations healthy while supporting responsible fishing.
2026-15915, Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
The Assistant Regional Administrator for Sustainable Fisheries, Greater Atlantic Region, NMFS, has made a preliminary determination that an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) application contains all of the required information and warrants further consideration. The EFP would allow federally permitted fishing vessels to fish outside fishery regulations in support of exempted fishing activities proposed by Atlantic Capes Fisheries, Inc. Regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act require publication of this notification to provide interested parties the opportunity to comment on applications for proposed EFPs.
2026-15911, Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area; Cost Recovery Fee Notice for the Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative Program
NMFS publishes the fee percentage for cost recovery for the Pacific Cod Trawl Cooperative (PCTC) Program. The fee percentage for 2026 is 2.09 percent. This notice is intended to provide the 2026 fee percentage to calculate the required payment for cost recovery fees due by August 31, 2026.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-15878, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Closure of the Angling Category Gulf of Maine Area Trophy Fishery for 2026
NMFS closes the Angling category Gulf of Maine area fishery for large medium and giant ("trophy" (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 centimeters (cm)) curved fork length or greater)) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT). This action applies to Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels when fishing recreationally.
Next: 2026-15912, Amendment of United States Area Navigation Route Q-10 and Revocation of Alaska Area Navigation Routes J-804R and J-889R in Alaska
This action amends United States Area Navigation (RNAV) Route Q-10 and revokes Alaska RNAV Routes J-804R and J-889R in Alaska. These actions are part of a large and comprehensive airway modernization project for the state of Alaska.