Red snapper regulations are in effect for all waters of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. The recreational bag limit is 2 fish per person and the captain and crew of for-hire vessels (i.e., charter boats) are prohibited from harvesting red snapper. The open harvest season in both state and federal waters is currently June 1 through July 23.
NOAA Fisheries Service announced the June 1 through July 23 season in federal waters as part of a final rule that increases the red snapper quotas in the Gulf of Mexico. The FWC approved regulations making the season for red snapper in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico consistent with the new federal season at its April 2010 meeting.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission increased its data collection efforts during the 2010 open season to estimate how many red snapper were harvested by anglers in the Gulf. This information has shown that catch levels were less than 2010’s established recreational Gulf red snapper harvest quota due to fishing closures caused by the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
In response, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (GMFMC) and NOAA Fisheries Service opened recreational red snapper for a supplemental season in Gulf federal waters during weekends only (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) from Oct. 1, 2010 – Nov. 21, 2010. The FWC opened a consistent supplemental recreational red snapper season via executive order in Gulf of Mexico state waters.
Recreational Bag Limits for Federal and Florida State waters of the Gulf of Mexico
■The recreational bag and possession limit is two (2) red snapper per person per day
■Possession of the recreational bag limit by captain and crew of for-hire vessels is prohibited
Recreational Season
■Florida State waters of the Gulf of Mexico: June 1 – July 23 *2011 season dates subject to change –
■Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico: Opens June 1, 2011 – season length TBA
Commercial
■The commercial minimum size limit of harvested and imported fish is 13 inches total length
■The commercial daily bag and trip limit is 2 fish per person in state waters
■The commercial quota set at 3.542 million pounds
■Seasonal and area closures are in place for the commercial shrimping industry to reduce effort in order in minimize juvenile red snapper bycatch
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
