South Atlantic Sets 2025 Red Snapper Limits to Save Fish Stocks
Published Date: 6/11/2025
Rule
Summary
This update changes the fishing rules for South Atlantic red snapper to keep the fish population healthy. It sets new catch limits for both commercial and recreational fishers and announces the 2025 fishing season dates. These changes help stop overfishing and make sure everyone follows the latest science to protect red snapper for the future.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Commercial red snapper ACLs changed
If you fish red snapper commercially in the South Atlantic, this rule revises the commercial annual catch limits (ACLs) and sector ACL calculations for red snapper and updates the fishing mortality (F) at maximum sustainable yield (MSY) proxy used to determine overfishing-related limits for 2025. The rule is intended to end and prevent overfishing and aligns catch limits with the most recent stock assessment.
Recreational red snapper ACLs changed
If you fish red snapper recreationally in the South Atlantic, this rule revises the recreational annual catch limits (ACLs) and sector ACL calculations for red snapper and updates the fishing mortality (F) at MSY proxy used to determine overfishing-related limits for 2025. The rule is intended to end and prevent overfishing and follows the latest stock assessment.
2025 commercial season dates announced
For the 2025 fishing year, this rule announces the South Atlantic red snapper commercial fishing season dates for 2025. Commercial fishers must follow the announced 2025 season dates when planning harvest and operations.
2025 recreational season dates announced
For the 2025 fishing year, this rule announces the South Atlantic red snapper recreational fishing season dates for 2025. Recreational anglers must follow the announced 2025 season dates for red snapper in the South Atlantic.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-14204, Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; Delay of Effective Date
NOAA is giving everyone more time before the rule that bans grappling or anchoring on Lake Ontario shipwrecks kicks in. Instead of starting in July 2026, this rule is now delayed until September 2028 to let NOAA set up mooring buoys and work with divers and boaters. This means boaters and commercial vessels can keep anchoring safely while NOAA gets everything ready without rushing.
2026-14195, Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are wiping away the official definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act starting September 14, 2026. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered plants and animals by shifting how “harm” is understood and enforced. It’s a big move that could change how projects and protections are handled, but no new costs or deadlines are added right now.
2026-05599, Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Hearings
NOAA got two applications from companies wanting to explore mining deep under the ocean floor. They’re holding virtual public meetings in April and want your thoughts by May 22, 2026. This affects anyone interested in ocean mining and how we protect our seas while exploring new resources.
2026-04256, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Starting April 3, 2026, new rules change shark fishing zones and times in the Atlantic to better protect sharks and manage fishing risks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear will see updated area boundaries and must pay for electronic monitoring if fishing in certain safer zones. These changes help keep shark populations healthy while supporting responsible fishing.
2026-17016, Notice of Mission Authorization Pilot Program
Pursuant to Section 5 of Executive Order 14335, "Enabling Competition in the Commercial Space Industry," the Office of Space Commerce (OSC) seeks to implement a streamlined, unified, whole-of- government mission authorization framework for novel in-space activities. To refine this proposed Space Commerce Certification (SCC) framework, OSC is inviting expressions of interest from U.S. entities in participating in a pilot phase.
2026-17003, Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2025-2026 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments
This final rule announces routine inseason adjustments to management measures in commercial groundfish fisheries. These inseason adjustments will increase sablefish trip limits in the limited entry (LE) and open access (OA) sectors north and south of 36[deg] North latitude (N lat.), and reduce vermilion/sunset rockfish sub-trip limits within the shelf rockfish complex in the LE and OA sectors south of 34[deg]27' N lat. This action is intended to allow commercial fishing vessels to access more abundant groundfish stocks while protecting overfished and depleted stocks.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-10541, Air Plan Approval; Arizona; Maricopa County Air Quality Department; Correction
The EPA fixed some numbering mistakes in a recent rule about Maricopa County’s air quality plan in Arizona. This correction doesn’t change the plan itself but makes sure the official paperwork is clear and accurate. If you live or work in Maricopa County, this means the air quality rules stay on track without any delays or extra costs.
Next: 2025-10586, Resetting the Corporate Average Fuel Economy Program
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is clarifying the rules it must follow when setting fuel economy standards for cars, trucks, and big work vehicles. This update affects car makers and truck companies by making sure the rules stick to the law while NHTSA works on new standards. For now, NHTSA will keep enforcing current fuel rules based on this fresh legal interpretation.