Federal fisheries managers will reduce commercial greater amberjack catch limits in the Gulf of Mexico for 2026 after landings exceeded last year’s cap, triggering an automatic accountability measure designed to protect the overfished stock.

Effective Jan. 5, the commercial annual catch limit for Gulf greater amberjack will be 92,816 pounds whole weight, with an annual catch target of 85,746 pounds whole weight. The reduction applies to the 2026 commercial fishing season, which opened Jan. 1.

The cut follows a review of 2025 commercial landings that showed fishermen harvested 109,184 pounds whole weight, exceeding the 2025 annual catch limit of 101,000 pounds by 8,184 pounds.

Under rules set by the Gulf Fishery Management Council and approved and implemented by NOAA Fisheries, any commercial overage requires a pound-for-pound reduction to both the annual catch limit and the annual catch target in the following year. As a result, the 2026 annual catch limit drops from 101,000 pounds to 92,816 pounds, while the annual catch target falls from 93,930 pounds to 85,746 pounds.

Managers said the action is necessary to protect the greater amberjack population, which is currently considered overfished, meaning the overall population size is too low. The accountability measure is intended to slow harvest pressure and help the stock rebuild over time while maintaining a structured commercial season.