Recreational fishermen are prohibited from keeping amberjack in federal waters for the remainder of the year, according to an announcement by NOAA Fisheries Service.

This year's recreational quota of 1.368 million pounds, established in 2008, has been reached and NOAA Fisheries Service has determined this action is necessary to prevent recreational fishermen from exceeding their quota for the year. The closure takes effect at 12:01 a.m. local time on Saturday, October 24 2009 and runs through December 31 2009.

Anglers fishing aboard vessels which hold a federal charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish must also abide by this closure in state waters.

If despite the closure, recreational landings continue and exceed the quota for 2009, that excess will be recovered by shortening the 2010 recreational amberjack season.

This action is required by regulations implemented under the Fishery Management Plan for Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico.