LWFC Passes Resolution of Support for Amberjack Exempted Fishing Permit

Baton Rouge, Aug 06, 2026 - The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission (LWFC) passed a resolution at today’s commission meeting supporting the Department’s application to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries’ Southeast Regional Office for an Exempted Fishing Permit to test state management of the recreational Greater Amberjack season using LA Creel harvest monitoring, as well as allowing the Department to collect much-needed biological data critical to a stock assessment during times of higher encounter rates of Greater Amberjack.

NOAA Fisheries issues these permits to authorize activities that would otherwise be prohibited by federal fishery regulations for limited testing, data collection, exploratory fishing, and other purposes. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is proposing a 61-day Greater Amberjack season from June 1 through July 31 in 2027, 2028, and 2029. This management approach would maximize fishing opportunities for Greater Amberjack for private anglers and for-hire captains in Gulf waters off Louisiana while providing a defined annual season. This season structure will also likely reduce dead discards by allowing a predetermined fishing season during months of high interaction with Greater Amberjack, thus reducing the number of fish caught out of season that anglers would otherwise discard. 

LDWF would monitor landings through Louisiana’s existing recreational landings data collection program (LA Creel), which will allow for the near real-time monitoring of Greater Amberjack harvest. Using the current federal monitoring system, NOAA closed the federal recreational amberjack harvest on September 27, 2025, after 2024/2025 landings reached 882,451 pounds against a 404,000-pound annual catch limit.

State management has proven successful for the Red Snapper fishery, with longer seasons, increased bag limits, and more accurate harvest and effort monitoring.

Next Steps:

• LDWF Exempted Fishing Permit Application to NOAA - Completed
• Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission Resolution of Support – Completed
• Gulf Council review and approval
• Signature of the US Secretary of Commerce

View a copy of the resolution here.