Red Snapper
Update: NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comment on proposed management actions for red snapper in the South Atlantic (See Amendment 28 
).
The proposed management actions would: 1) establish a process to determine if a fishing season would occur each year in federal waters, including catch limits and seasons for the recreational and commercial sector, 2) establish an equation to determine catch limits for the recreational and commercial sectors, and 3) management measures if fishing is allowed, including season dates, sizes limits and bag or trip limits. Comments can be electronically submitted here.
Federal Register notice.
Recreational Regulations for state and federal waters of the Atlantic
| Atlantic Red Snapper | Season | Min. Size limit | Remarks |
|---|
| State waters |
Open year-round |
20" |
Gear rules apply.
Visit the gear rules page for more.
|
| Federal waters |
2013 Pending Season: Opening July 12 (second Friday of July) for 3 day weekends until quota is met |
None |
Bag limit: 1 fish per person/per day |
*Recreational and commercial fishers in Atlantic waters off Florida are required to use dehooking devices when fishing for reef fish, including red snapper. Visit the reef fish gear rules page for more information.
Management
The recreational and commercial harvest of red snapper in Atlantic federal waters is prohibited (See Amendment 17A ).
This closure also prohibits anyone on board a vessel for which a federal commercial or charter/headboat permit for the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery has been issued from harvesting or possessing red snapper in state waters.
State waters of the Atlantic remain open for recreational red snapper harvest.
Regulations requiring the use of circle hooks in the snapper-grouper fishery in federal waters north of 28° latitude took effect March 3, 2011. The approved regulations also require a program to monitor red snapper populations.
Links for more information
Vermilion Snapper
Update: Pending approval from the Secretary of Commerce, the four month recreational closed season (November throught March) in south Atlantic federal waters has been eliminated. If approved by the Secretary, FWC will consider consistency in south Atlantic state waters at a future Commission meeting.
Recreational Regulations for state and federal waters of the Atlantic
| Vermilion Snapper | Min. Size | Season | Bag limit | Remarks |
|---|
| State and Federal Atlantic waters |
12" |
Closed November 1-March 31
Changes pending: See Update above
|
5 per harvester per day |
Not included in Snapper aggregate bag limit.
Captain and crew of for-hire vessels are prohibited from keeping vermilion snapper.
Gear rules apply.
Visit the gear rules page for more.
|
*Recreational and commercial fishers in Atlantic waters off Florida are required to use dehooking devices when fishing for reef fish, including snapper. Visit the reef fish gear rules page for more information.
For further details on Atlantic vermilion snapper regulations, review the following links:
Other Snapper Species
Recreational Regulations for state waters of the Atlantic
| Atlantic Snapper (state waters) | Min. Size | Closed season | Bag limit | Remarks |
|---|
| Black and Wenchman Snapper |
|
|
Included within 10 per harvester/per day Snapper aggregate |
|
| Cubera Snapper |
12" (see remarks) |
|
Included within 10 per harvester/per day Snapper aggregate |
May possess no more than 2 Cubera Snapper over 30' per harvester or vessel per day, whichever is less. 30" or larger no included within the Snapper aggregate bag limit |
| Gray/Mangrove Snapper |
10" |
|
5 per harvester/per day |
Included within 10 per harvester/per day Snapper aggregate |
| Lane Snapper |
8" |
|
Included within 10 per harvester/per day Snapper aggregate |
|
| Mutton Snapper |
16" |
|
Included within 10 per harvester/per day Snapper aggregate |
|
| Schoolmaster Snapper |
10" |
|
Included within 10 per harvester/per day Snapper aggregate |
|
| Snapper, other |
12" |
|
Included within 10 per harvester/per day Snapper aggregate |
Includes: Blackfin, Dog, Mahogany, Queen, Silk & Yellowtail.
Harvest and retention of queen snapper and silk snapper beyond 240 feet in federal waters of the South Atlantic is prohibited.
|
*Recreational and commercial fishers in Atlantic waters off Florida are required to use dehooking devices when fishing for reef fish, including snapper. Visit the reef fish gear rules page for more information.
Management
New Federal Rules for Grouper, Tilefish, and Snapper
The 240-foot closure prohibiting the harvest and retention of snowy grouper, blueline tilefish, yellowedge grouper, misty grouper, queen snapper and silk snapper caught in South Atlantic federal waters deeper than 240 feet was repealed May 10, 2012, by NOAA Fisheries Service.
This closure was a part of Amendment 17B, which took effect January 31, 2011.
Persons with Disabilities