NOAA leaps forward on collaborative approach for Red Snapper

Red snapper, like the one pictured here, is a culturally and economically important fish for South Atlantic fishing communities. It is especially prized by recreational fishermen for their delicious taste and rewarding catch © NOAA

NOAA Fisheries announces a major collaborative step toward boosting red snapper recreational fishing opportunities in the South Atlantic.

NOAA Fisheries announced a major collaborative step toward boosting red snapper recreational fishing opportunities in the South Atlantic. The agency invites public comments on applications for Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. The EFPs are designed to test new data collection methods and strategies for state-led management of the recreational red snapper fishery.

This 25-day public comment period marks an important step in NOAA's review and consideration of management strategies for the recreational harvest of red snapper, which will balance sustainability and economic benefits. These actions are also expected to increase opportunities for American recreational fishermen.

"Today's announcement underscores NOAA's dedication to innovative harvest strategies that represent a bold new paradigm for coastal prosperity, aligning sustainable fisheries management with the President's charge to revitalize the economic core of our coastal regions," said Neil Jacobs, Ph.D., NOAA Administrator. "These state-led pilots have the potential to provide an important framework for improved data collection and enhanced management responsiveness, ensuring red snapper remains a cultural and economic cornerstone for the South Atlantic."

The United States has the largest and most diverse recreational fisheries in the world. Red snapper are especially prized by recreational anglers for their delicious taste and rewarding catch.

Managing sustainable fisheries is a dynamic process that requires access to the best available information to guide management actions. This step supports increased generation of high-quality data streams to inform future scientific advice and management.

"As an avid fisherman, I understand the adventure and thrill of the catch," said Eugenio Piñeiro Soler, NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator. "The EFPs propose to open up more opportunities for our recreational fishermen, while supporting sustainable red snapper population levels. NOAA Fisheries is committed to improving our partnerships and collecting better recreational data to bolster science-based fisheries management."

The request for public comment will be published in the Federal Register. The public is encouraged to submit comments during the 25-day comment period. The public may also provide comments on the EFP applications to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (also known as the South Atlantic Council) during the March 2-6 meeting.