The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced the 2016-17 commercial season for king mackerel will close at 12:01 p.m. on Friday, May 26, 2017, in Louisiana waters.

The 2017-18 season for the commercial harvest of king mackerel will open on July 1, 2017, as previously scheduled.

Each year, a commercial quota is established by NOAA Fisheries for Gulf of Mexico king mackerel based on recommendations by the Gulf and South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils. Based upon new quota adjustments, the western Gulf of Mexico quota increased to 1.1 million pounds, leaving an additional 65,000 pounds available for harvest, allowing the department to reopen the commercial season earlier this month on May 11.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us atwww.wlf.la.gov. To receive email alerts, signup at http://www.wlf.la.gov/signup.