Snapper Rules May Require Selling Every Fish Caught
Published Date: 7/16/2026
Notice
Summary
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is holding public meetings to discuss changes to snapper grouper fishing rules. They’re thinking about making it easier to get commercial permits, changing gear rules, raising catch limits, and requiring all catch to be sold. These meetings happen in August 2026 and affect commercial fishers who want to stay in the game and follow new rules.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Easier Transfer of Commercial Permits
The amendment would remove the 2-for-1 requirement for obtaining a transferable snapper grouper (SG1) commercial permit, which would make it easier to transfer permits and could increase active participation by permit holders. The Council is holding public hearings on August 10, 11, 19, and a webinar on August 31, 2026; written comments are due September 1, 2026 at 5 p.m.
Maintain Permit Count for Stability
Amendment 60 aims to maintain the current number of commercial snapper grouper permits to increase the long-term stability of the commercial fishery and support economic profitability. Hearings are scheduled August 10, 11, 19, and a webinar on August 31, 2026; written comments must arrive by September 1, 2026 at 5 p.m.
Allow Gear Switching During Trips
The amendment would revise bottom longline gear stowage requirements and species restrictions so commercial vessels could switch to or from longline gear during a single commercial trip, improving trip efficiency while keeping law enforcement able to monitor gear. Public hearings are on August 10, 11, 19 and a webinar on August 31, 2026; comments due September 1, 2026 at 5 p.m.
Higher Trip Limits for Several Species
Amendment 60 includes actions to consider increasing commercial trip limits for greater amberjack, vermilion snapper, red porgy, hogfish (Georgia–North Carolina stock), red grouper, gray triggerfish, and golden tilefish (hook-and-line only), to better achieve optimum yield and increase trip efficiency. The Council will take public comment at hearings on August 10, 11, 19, and a webinar on August 31, 2026; written comments are due September 1, 2026 at 5 p.m.
Require Sale of All Commercial Catch
The amendment would require sale of all snapper grouper harvested by commercial vessels, a change the Council says would improve reporting accuracy and ensure commercial permits are used only to harvest fish for sale. The public hearings are August 10, 11, 19 (in-person) and August 31, 2026 (webinar); written comments must be received by September 1, 2026 at 5 p.m.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions 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.
2026-14474 — Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC); Public Meeting
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is holding a public webinar on August 4, 2026, to review and keep the same fishing rules for spiny dogfish in 2027 as in 2026. This affects fishermen and businesses relying on spiny dogfish, helping them plan ahead with no expected changes in catch limits or costs. The meeting will focus on a fishery report that guides these decisions.
2026-14524 — Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone off Alaska; Amendment 129 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area; Amendment 58 to the Fishery Management Plan for Bering Sea Aleutian Islands King and Tanner Crabs; Economic Data Reporting Requirements Removal
Fishermen in Alaska’s Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands won’t have to send in yearly economic reports anymore, thanks to new proposed changes. This means less paperwork and lower fees for those catching groundfish and crabs. If you’re involved in these fisheries, you’ve got until September 15, 2026, to share your thoughts before the changes take effect.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-14374 — Notice of Proposals To Engage in or To Acquire Companies Engaged in Permissible Nonbanking Activities
Some companies want to start or buy businesses that do activities related to banking but aren’t banks themselves. The Federal Reserve is checking these plans and asking the public to share their thoughts by August 17, 2026. This affects companies across the U.S. and could lead to new business moves in the banking world soon!
Next: 2026-14376 — Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records
The Defense Logistics Agency is retiring its old system for sharing news about military and civilian staff with hometown media. Starting August 17, 2026, all those updates will move to a newer system called the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS). This change affects anyone involved in sharing or receiving DLA news and helps keep things simpler and more up-to-date—no extra costs or delays expected!