12-10-2010, 07:10 PM
Baton Rouge, La.- Recreational anglers will have the chance to continue to take home their greater amberjack catches in both state and federal waters off the Louisiana coast throughout the remainder 2010 and into the 2011 season, which starts on January 1. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDFW) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) plan to keep the greater amberjack recreational season open for the remainder of the year, as NOAA predicts the quota for the harvest of greater amberjack will not be met.
LDWF officials estimate that approximately 14,500 greater amberjack weighing more than 337,000 pounds were harvested in Louisiana in 2009. Each year, recreational anglers in Louisiana land approximately 276,000 pounds of greater amberjack at docks across the state's coast.
Greater amberjack are found throughout the Gulf of Mexico, as well as in some parts of the Atlantic Ocean in temperate and tropical waters. They are typically found near offshore platforms, artificial reefs and near offshore wrecks in waters as deep as 300 feet.
The average size of a greater amberjack landed in Louisiana is more than 20 pounds, with the record weighing in at 139 lbs. The record catch was made by Bill Weldon in South Timablier Block 300 in May 2009.
Recreational saltwater fishing in Louisiana accounts for $472.1 million in retail sales in Louisiana annually and more than 7,700 jobs. The total economic impact is approximately $757.1 million each year. However, the BP oil spill kept many recreational anglers dockside throughout the summer.
The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana's abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.louisiana.gov on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.
For more information, please contact Olivia Watkins at 225-610-8660 or owatkins@wlf.la.gov.
LDWF officials estimate that approximately 14,500 greater amberjack weighing more than 337,000 pounds were harvested in Louisiana in 2009. Each year, recreational anglers in Louisiana land approximately 276,000 pounds of greater amberjack at docks across the state's coast.
Greater amberjack are found throughout the Gulf of Mexico, as well as in some parts of the Atlantic Ocean in temperate and tropical waters. They are typically found near offshore platforms, artificial reefs and near offshore wrecks in waters as deep as 300 feet.
The average size of a greater amberjack landed in Louisiana is more than 20 pounds, with the record weighing in at 139 lbs. The record catch was made by Bill Weldon in South Timablier Block 300 in May 2009.
Recreational saltwater fishing in Louisiana accounts for $472.1 million in retail sales in Louisiana annually and more than 7,700 jobs. The total economic impact is approximately $757.1 million each year. However, the BP oil spill kept many recreational anglers dockside throughout the summer.
The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana's abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.louisiana.gov on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ldwffb or follow us on Twitter @LDWF.
For more information, please contact Olivia Watkins at 225-610-8660 or owatkins@wlf.la.gov.