Keith Lusher 05.06.24
![Florida Anglers Applaud New 103-day Red Snapper Season](https://outdoorhub-res.cloudinary.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:low,w_auto,dpr_auto/https://cdn.outdoorhub.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/01/20220606_093523-800x600.jpg)
Pink Snapper Fishermen are feeling the Massive Mo! That’s momentum from the most recent information {that a} report 103 days will probably be supplied for anglers to reap crimson snapper in federal waters off the coast of Florida. The previous 4 years have seen crimson snapper restrictions being loosened for leisure angles all through the Gulf of Mexico from Louisiana to Florida.
The leisure season is the longest season because the state was delegated administration of Gulf crimson snapper. Florida is one in every of many Gulf Coats States which have taken over administration of crimson snapper by gathering knowledge by way of the State Reef Fish Survey. Florida crimson snapper anglers are applauding the prolonged season which incorporates each a summer time and fall season which incorporates main vacation weekends equivalent to Father’s Day, July 4th and the Thanksgiving vacation.
“I’m proud to announce that this snapper season would be the longest season since our state took over crimson snapper administration within the Gulf,” stated Governor Ron DeSantis. “Florida is proud to be the Fishing and Boating Capital of the World.”
Right here’s what the brand new laws are for Florida anglers fishing within the Gulf of Mexico:
These fishing from non-public leisure vessels or constitution vessels will have the ability to take part within the 2024 Gulf crimson snapper season. The 61-day summer time season will start on June 1 and proceed by way of July 31. The 42-day fall season is the longest fall season because the starting of state administration and spans the next weekend dates:
- September 1–2 (Sunday by way of 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 by way of Saturday of Thanksgiving Weekend)
However it’s not all excellent news for Florida crimson snapper fishermen. Florida is ready to provide this lengthy season resulting from knowledge pushed administration of the Pink Snapper fishery on the Gulf Coast, which isn’t allowed by the Federal Authorities on the East Coast of the state. Consequently, the federal authorities’s anticipated Atlantic Pink Snapper Season will final 0-2 days.
Donald James fishes for crimson snapper and is a proponent for letting the state taking on managment on the Atlantic aspect of the state. “It seems to be just like the Atlantics aspect are going to have one other season the place defective knowledge is resulting in a handful of days to fish. We’ve got nothing however crimson snapper protecting each single wreck 6 miles offshore,” James stated. “Theres snapper in all places. I cant get away from them. I simply odn’t perceive the place their getting their knowledge from,”
Martha Guyas is the Southeast Fisheries Coverage Director for the American Sportsfishing Association. Guyas applauds the prolonged season for crimson snapper anglers within the Gulf waters and credit the states administration of knowledge. “State administration of Gulf crimson snapper and Florida’s funding in higher leisure knowledge through the State Reef Fish Survey has been an absolute recreation changer. Just some years in the past, the Gulf leisure season was only a handful of days in federal waters, so this 103-day season for Florida Gulf anglers is price celebrating,” Guyas stated.
Whereas the prolonged 2024 season is applauded, Guyas stated there’s nonetheless work to be accomplished. “The present scenario within the Atlantic is similar to the scenario within the Gulf earlier than state administration took impact. Regardless of report abundance of Atlantic crimson snapper, NOAA could prohibit Atlantic leisure anglers from harvesting crimson snapper this 12 months, or at finest, give them a two-day season,” she stated. The Fisheries Coverage Director for the Southeast harassed that higher knowledge is required to with a purpose to higher handle crimson snapper within the Atlantic. “We have to enhance leisure harvest entry to the Atlantic crimson snapper fishery to match the progress that has been made in rebuilding the fishery. Identical to with Gulf crimson snapper, higher knowledge is important to enhancing Atlantic crimson snapper administration,” stated Guyas.
Presently, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee has utilized for exempted fishing permits (EFPs) that might enable them to acquire higher leisure knowledge on Atlantic crimson snapper and consider completely different administration methods for crimson snapper and different reef fish. The EFPs, mixed with efforts just like the South Atlantic Pink Snapper Analysis Program (often known as the South Atlantic Nice Pink Snapper Rely), are a primary step towards enhancing Atlantic crimson snapper harvest alternatives which can be consistent with the progress made in rebuilding the Atlantic inventory.
Within the occasion of wet days impacting the variety of fishing days, Florida will consider further Gulf Pink Snapper season dates so as to add later within the season. In the event you plan to fish for crimson snapper in state or federal waters from a personal leisure vessel, even in case you are exempt from fishing license necessities, you have to enroll as a State Reef Fish Angler (annual renewal required) at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
Discover extra on leisure snapper laws at MyFWC.com/Marine.