Keith Lusher 05.06.24
Red Snapper Fishermen are feeling the Big Mo! That’s momentum from the latest news that a record 103 days will be offered for anglers to harvest red snapper in federal waters off the coast of Florida. The past 4 years have seen red snapper restrictions being loosened for recreational angles throughout the Gulf of Mexico from Louisiana to Florida.
The recreational season is the longest season since the state was delegated management of Gulf red snapper. Florida is one of many Gulf Coats States that have taken over management of red snapper by collecting data through the State Reef Fish Survey. Florida red snapper anglers are applauding the extended season which includes both a summer and fall season which includes major holiday weekends such as Father’s Day, July 4th and the Thanksgiving holiday.
“I am proud to announce that this snapper season will be the longest season since our state took over red snapper management in the Gulf,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Florida is proud to be the Fishing and Boating Capital of the World.”
Here’s what the new regulations are for Florida anglers fishing in the Gulf of Mexico:
Those fishing from private recreational vessels or charter vessels will be able to participate in the 2024 Gulf red snapper season. The 61-day summer season will begin on June 1 and continue through July 31. The 42-day fall season is the longest fall season since the beginning of state management and spans the following weekend dates:
- September 1–2 (Sunday through Monday of Labor Day Weekend)
- September 6–8
- September 13–15
- September 20–22
- September 27–29
- October 4–6
- October 11–13
- October 18–20
- October 25–27
- November 1–3
- November 8–11 (Veterans Day Weekend)
- November 15–17
- November 22–24
- November 28–30 (Thursday through Saturday of Thanksgiving Weekend)
But it’s not all good news for Florida red snapper fishermen. Florida is able to offer this long season due to data driven management of the Red Snapper fishery on the Gulf Coast, which is not allowed by the Federal Government on the East Coast of the state. Consequently, the federal government’s expected Atlantic Red Snapper Season will last 0-2 days.
Donald James fishes for red snapper and is a proponent for letting the state taking over managment on the Atlantic side of the state. “It looks like the Atlantics side are going to have another season where faulty data is leading to a handful of days to fish. We have nothing but red snapper covering every single wreck 6 miles offshore,” James said. “Theres snapper everywhere. I cant get away from them. I just odn’t understand where their getting their data from,”
Martha Guyas is the Southeast Fisheries Policy Director for the American Sportsfishing Association. Guyas applauds the extended season for red snapper anglers in the Gulf waters and credits the states management of data. “State management of Gulf red snapper and Florida’s investment in better recreational data via the State Reef Fish Survey has been an absolute game changer. Just a few years ago, the Gulf recreational season was just a handful of days in federal waters, so this 103-day season for Florida Gulf anglers is worth celebrating,” Guyas said.
While the extended 2024 season is applauded, Guyas said there’s still work to be done. “The current situation in the Atlantic has similarities to the situation in the Gulf before state management took effect. Despite record abundance of Atlantic red snapper, NOAA may prohibit Atlantic recreational anglers from harvesting red snapper this year, or at best, give them a two-day season,” she said. The Fisheries Policy Director for the Southeast stressed that better data is needed to in order to better manage red snapper in the Atlantic. “We need to improve recreational harvest access to the Atlantic red snapper fishery to match the progress that has been made in rebuilding the fishery. Just like with Gulf red snapper, better data is critical to improving Atlantic red snapper management,” said Guyas.
Currently, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has applied for exempted fishing permits (EFPs) that would allow them to obtain better recreational data on Atlantic red snapper and evaluate different management strategies for red snapper and other reef fish. The EFPs, combined with efforts like the South Atlantic Red Snapper Research Program (also known as the South Atlantic Great Red Snapper Count), are a first step toward improving Atlantic red snapper harvest opportunities that are in line with the progress made in rebuilding the Atlantic stock.
In the event of rainy days impacting the number of fishing days, Florida will evaluate additional Gulf Red Snapper season dates to add later in the season. If you plan to fish for red snapper in state or federal waters from a private recreational vessel, even if you are exempt from fishing license requirements, you must sign up as a State Reef Fish Angler (annual renewal required) at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
Find more on recreational snapper regulations at MyFWC.com/Marine.
