Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL) is spearheading a legislative push to shift control of the Atlantic red snapper season from federal oversight to state authorities. The move aims to replace the current federal model—which limited the season to just two days last year—with state-led proposals that could see anglers on the water for up to 62 days.
Moody recently led a Congressional letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce in support of Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) applications for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. These permits would allow states to manage their own recreational harvests while testing new data collection systems.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which operates under the Department of Commerce, recently opened the floor for public comment on these proposals.
“Under the federally regulated system, the red snapper season in the Atlantic can be as short as two days, putting anglers, small businesses, and coastal communities that rely on fishing at a disadvantage,” Senator Moody stated. “That’s why I, alongside my colleagues in the U.S. Senate, am supporting Florida’s request to manage our own red snapper season through state-led exempted fishing permits. I applaud NOAA for seeking a collaborative relationship with the states to focus on reliable and accurate data.”
READ: Florida Business Owner Cuffed In $1 Million Payroll Shell Game
If the EFPs are approved, the recreational red snapper season for the South Atlantic states would range from 39 to 62 days this year. Proponents argue this shift will not only increase access but also modernize how landings are tracked. Robyn Boerstling, Senior Vice President of Government Relations at the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), noted that a similar model in the Gulf has already proven that state-driven data can lead to more stable seasons.
“The Gulf state-led model has proven that better, state-driven data collection can deliver longer, more stable seasons while maintaining strong conservation outcomes,” Boerstling said.
The economic stakes are significant. Recreational fishing in the four involved states generates roughly $27.1 billion in annual impact and supports over 170,000 jobs.
On a national scale, American anglers spent $99.4 billion in 2022, a figure that surpasses the annual revenues of corporations like Bank of America and Lowe’s. Additionally, through federal excise taxes, these anglers contribute approximately $2 billion toward habitat restoration and fisheries conservation.
Glenn Hughes, President and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association, called the effort a “game-changer” for the industry. “State management of red snapper will finally provide anglers with reasonable access and vastly improve data collection,” Hughes said.
Jeff Angers, President of the Center for Sportfishing Policy, added that the population is currently “the healthiest it has been in decades,” making the previous two-day limit particularly frustrating for local communities.
This push aligns with a recent executive order focused on American seafood competitiveness, which directs the Department of Commerce to expand the use of EFPs. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Executive Director Roger Young urged NOAA to fund and approve the permits as intended by Congress, marking what he called “an important step towards state management of red snapper in the South Atlantic.”
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
