South Atlantic states that were planning to manage extended recreational red snapper seasons this summer have cancelled those seasons due to a lawsuit filed by commercial fishers, but they’re looking to schedule new recreational seasons this fall.
States bordering the federal Southeast Atlantic red snapper fishery have long demanded longer recreational seasons with larger catch limits, arguing that the fish population is far more abundant than official numbers suggest. NOAA Fisheries determined the red snapper fishery was subject to overfishing in 2021, and recreational fishing seasons have been limited to as few as two days as managers wait for the stock to recover more.
Last year, the states of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina applied for exempted fishing permits (EFP) from NOAA Fisheries that would give the states management over recreational red snapper fishing in those federal waters. Part of the justification for state control of the fishery is officials’ claim that state management can lead to better data collection that can demonstrate post facto that the species is more abundant than federal estimates show.
On 1 May, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the approval of the four EFPs.
“For years, our Great Fishermen have been punished with VERY short federal fishing seasons despite RECORD HIGH fish populations and the States begging to oversee these permits. The incompetent Biden Administration tried to SHUT DOWN THE OCEANS to our Fishermen, entirely. We love and respect our Fishermen and, unlike the Democrats, will only do good for them. To all those who fish 'Red Snapper' – TRUMP and NOAA are delivering for you. ENJOY!!” Trump said in a Truth Social post.
The states quickly announced greatly expanded recreational seasons to kick off this summer; Florida announced a new recreational season to start 22 May, expanding from two days to two months in length.
The recreational seasons were quickly put on hold, however, following a lawsuit filed by the Southeastern Fisheries Association. The lawsuit, which is also supported by conservation groups, claims the expanded seasons would increase pressure on Southeast Atlantic red snappers and reverse their recovery.
“Opening the red snapper season for two months – when last year it was two days – is fast-tracking the crash of this species,” Ocean Conservancy Senior Director of Fish Conservation Meredith Moore said in a release. “There’s just no way the stock can endure this level of fishing pressure so we can continue to fish for red snapper in the long term.”
On 21 May, the day before Florida’s season was set to start, a federal judge placed a pause on the EFPs while the lawsuit worked its way through the court system.
Now, Southeast states are deciding to cancel their planned summer recreational seasons, noting that the lawsuit was unlikely to be resolved in time to conduct the pilot seasons.
"While this outcome is certainly disappointing, we remain committed to expanding access to red snapper fishing opportunities for Georgia anglers," Georgia Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Walter Rabon said in a release. "We believe state-led management and improved data collection can provide a better path forward, and we will continue working with our partners to pursue that goal."
Georgia DNR said it and the other states are working with federal officials on a revised EFP that addresses the concerned raised in the lawsuit, with the hopes of establishing an extended recreational season in the fall instead.
