It’s official: greater amberjack fishing is off-limits in Gulf federal waters for the year, as federal managers enforce tougher rules to help this popular game fish rebound. The closure kicked in at 12:01 a.m. on September 27, 2025, and will stay put until the new recreational season opens on September 1, 2026.

The decision wasn’t made lightly. Anglers hauled in 882,451 pounds of amberjack last season—well surpassing the official catch limit of 404,000 pounds. Federal law requires that when fishermen go over the limit, next year’s quota is slashed by the same amount. That means for 2025-2026, there’s simply no harvest allowed; both the annual catch limit and the target have dropped to zero. So, the season is closed before it even began.

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Why the clampdown? Greater amberjack stocks are at all-time lows. NOAA Fisheries has to close the recreational harvest when the annual catch target—now set at zero—is reached on paper. These rules are designed to give the species a fighting chance, and they're part of a long-term rebuilding plan that’s seen seasons and limits squeezed tighter recently.

During the closure, the rules are crystal clear: no greater amberjack in coolers, livewells or on lines. Bag and possession limits are set at zero for anyone fishing in federal Gulf waters. The ban even stretches into state waters if a vessel has a valid federal charter or headboat permit for Gulf reef fish.

Luck may favor the patient this time around. The hope is that by pulling back now, the Gulf’s greater amberjack will begin to show real signs of recovery—opening the door for a more stable fishery in years to come.