Louisiana declares emergency to close popular fishing season

Louisiana issued an emergency declaration to close the recreational amberjack season in state Gulf of America waters starting Oct. 14. The move follows a federal decision that the annual harvest limit has already been met in federal Gulf waters. While the state’s amberjack recreational season is shut immediately, federal waters will remain closed to amberjack fishing until the start of the regularly scheduled 2027 season, currently set to begin Sept. 1, 2027. The agency cited the need for compatible regulations to improve enforcement and reduce long-term overfishing. The amberjack closure coincides with the start of Louisiana’s six-week southern flounder closure on Oct. 15.