Government Creates Special Season to Stop Fish Waste Problem
Published Date: 1/14/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
Amendment 59 aims to protect South Atlantic red snapper by changing fishing limits, seasons, and trip rules for both commercial and recreational fishers. It also introduces a new discard reduction season to cut down on wasted fish. These changes could start soon if approved, helping keep red snapper populations healthy while still letting people enjoy fishing.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Big Increase in Red Snapper ACLs
The total Atlantic South red snapper annual catch limit (ACL) would increase from 42,510 fish to 500,000 fish. Using the existing sector split (28.07% commercial, 71.93% recreational), the commercial ACL becomes 346,000 lb (156,943 kg) and the recreational ACL becomes 85,000 fish.
Commercial Trip Limit Doubles
The commercial trip limit for red snapper would increase from 75 lb (34 kg), gutted weight, to 150 lb (68 kg), gutted weight during a commercial fishing season. NMFS expects this, along with the higher commercial ACL, to increase economic efficiency and could increase per-business revenue.
Commercial Season Starts May 1
Beginning with the 2026-2027 fishing year, the commercial red snapper season would open annually on May 1 instead of the second Monday in July. For the 2025-2026 fishing year, the commercial start date would remain the same as current practice.
Weekend-Only Recreational Season Changes
For 2025-2026 the recreational red snapper season would start on the second Saturday in July and consist of Saturdays and Sundays only. Beginning in the 2026-2027 fishing year, the recreational season would begin on the second Saturday in June and consist of Saturdays and Sundays only; the bag limit remains one fish per person.
Discard Reduction Seasonal Closure (Dec–Feb)
Annually from December 1 through the end of February, private recreational and for-hire vessels would be prohibited from fishing for, harvesting, or possessing any snapper-grouper species with hook-and-line gear in a South Atlantic EEZ area between 28°00.0' N and the Florida/Georgia border (30°42.0' N). Transit through the area is allowed if gear is appropriately stowed.
New FMSY Proxy and Higher OFL/ABC
Amendment 59 would adopt F2021-2023 as the FMSY proxy and set the overfishing limit (OFL) at 551,000 fish and the acceptable biological catch (ABC) at 509,000 fish (92% of OFL). NMFS states this proxy would be used until the next assessment in 2028.
Fishing Year Shift to May 1–April 30
The fishing year for South Atlantic red snapper would change from January 1–December 31 to May 1–April 30 annually. This aligns catch accounting with the proposed May 1 commercial season opening and other management measures.
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