Red Snapper Season Opens With Poundage Cap
Published Date: 7/1/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting July 13, 2026, commercial fishers in the South Atlantic can catch red snapper until January 1, 2027, or until the catch limit of about 103,000 pounds is hit. This rule helps fishers know exactly when they can fish and keeps the red snapper population healthy. If the limit is reached early, the season will close sooner to protect the fish.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
2026 Season Dates and Catch Cap
If you fish commercially in the South Atlantic exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the 2026 red snapper commercial season opens at 12:01 a.m. local time on July 13, 2026 and stays open until 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2027, unless the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) of 102,951 pounds (46,698 kg) is reached or projected to be reached. NMFS will monitor landings and will close the commercial sector for the fishing year by filing a Federal Register notice if the ACL is reached or projected to be reached.
Per-Trip Commercial Limit: 75 lb
During the open commercial red snapper season, the commercial trip limit is 75 pounds (34 kg), gutted weight, per trip. This limit caps how much red snapper a commercial vessel can legally land on each trip while the season is open.
No Commercial Size Limits
There is no red snapper minimum or maximum commercial size limit during the commercial season. Commercial fishers may land red snapper of any size under the commercial regulations in effect for 2026.
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