In Case You Missed It…NOAA Announces 2017 Limited Opening of Recreational and Commercial Red Snapper Fishery in South Atlantic Waters

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced the 2017 limited opening of recreational and commercial red snapper fishery in South Atlantic federal waters. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council requested the opening after recent scientific information indicated a large increase in the size of the red snapper fishery since 2010. The red snapper and commercial season will open in South Atlantic federal waters for limited harvest in 2017 through emergency action. In June, Congressman Rutherford wrote a letter to the South Atlantic Fishery Council requesting to open the red snapper fishery in the South Atlantic.

Congressman John Rutherford said, "This is a great victory for our state. Florida is the fishing capital of the world, with more than 3 million anglers who generate $9.6 billion in economic impact. This is a tremendous step toward growing our First Coast fishing economy, but I will keep fighting in Washington for our South Atlantic anglers until we have a long-term solution to properly manage all of our fishery stocks."

The recreational sector will open for harvest on weekends only (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) on the following days:

• November 3, 4, and 5, 2017 – The recreational season opens at 12:01 a.m., local time, on November 3, 2017, and closes at 12:01 a.m., local time on November 6, 2017.
• November 10, 11, and 12, 2017 – The recreational season opens again at 12:01 a.m., local time, on November 10, 2017, and closes at 12:01 a.m., local time, on November 13, 2017.

The commercial sector will open for harvest upon implementation of the emergency rule at 12:01 a.m., local time on November 2, 2017, and will close at 11:59 p.m., local time, on December 31, 2017, unless the commercial annual catch limit is met or projected to be met before this date.

• NOAA Fisheries will announce if the commercial sector needs to close before 11:59 p.m., local time, on December 31, 2017.

Regulations and frequently asked questions can be found HERE.