Florida Fishermen Get Permit for Extra Snapper Hauls to Cut Waste
Published Date: 7/7/2025
Notice
Summary
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wants special permission to let anglers catch red snapper outside the usual federal fishing seasons in the South Atlantic. If approved, this would relax some fishing limits and rules to test new ways to manage fish, reduce waste, and make fishing more fun and sustainable. This could change how recreational fishing works and offer more chances to enjoy the sport without extra costs or delays.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Exemptions from limits and reporting rules
The EFP application asks to exempt that limited harvest from red snapper recreational bag and possession limits, recreational annual catch limits (ACLs), general reporting requirements for charter vessels and headboats, and accountability measures (AMs). If approved, charter operators and recreational anglers participating under the EFP would not have to follow those listed limits and reporting rules for the authorized harvest.
Limited red snapper harvest outside season
If the exempted fishing permit (EFP) is granted, anglers could be authorized to harvest red snapper outside any Federal recreational season in South Atlantic Federal waters. This would create additional chances for recreational fishing in that region under the EFP.
Pilot testing of alternative management strategies
FWC says the project is intended to test alternative recreational management strategies to reduce discards of red snapper and other snapper-grouper species, create additional opportunities for sustainable recreational harvest, and improve angler satisfaction. The EFP would be used as a pilot to evaluate those management approaches for possible use by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
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.
2026-07536, Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys in the Gulf of America
Starting April 20, 2026, NOAA is setting new rules for companies doing geophysical surveys in the Gulf of America to protect marine mammals. These rules let companies get permission to accidentally disturb marine mammals but require them to minimize harm and report what they find. This plan lasts five years and helps balance ocean research with saving sea life.
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.
2025-06746, Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service want to remove the current definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act because it includes habitat changes that don’t match the law’s true meaning. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered species and could shift how rules are enforced. You have until May 19, 2025, to share your thoughts, and this update aims to clarify the law without adding new costs.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-12594, Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed eCollection eComments Requested; Reinstatement Without Change to a Previously Approved Collection; U.S. Department of Justice Self Reportable Activities
The Department of Justice is asking to keep using a form that helps people report certain activities themselves, with no changes to the form. This affects anyone who needs to fill out this form, and there’s no new cost or extra paperwork. They’re just making sure everything stays official and approved on time.
Next: 2025-12596, Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic; Exempted Fishing Permits
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wants special permission to let anglers catch red snapper outside the usual federal fishing seasons in the South Atlantic. If approved, this would relax some fishing limits and rules to test new ways to fish smarter, reduce waste, and make fishing more fun. These changes could start soon and aim to help both fish and fishermen without extra costs.