South Atlantic Red Snapper Fair Access Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Scott, Austin [R-GA-8]
Introduced
Summary
Bans commercial harvest and sale of South Atlantic red snapper during periods when recreational fishing is closed. It would shift conservation burdens and align access across recreational and commercial sectors while tying enforcement and rulemaking to the National Marine Fisheries Service and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
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- Recreational anglers and for-hire operators: Would see commercial fishing stopped during recreational closures to help share conservation burdens and make access more comparable after historically short recreational seasons.
- Commercial harvesters, dealers, and retailers: Would be prohibited from harvesting, selling, offering for sale, or trading South Atlantic red snapper taken from Federal waters during covered periods and would face penalties treated under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
- Fisheries managers and enforcement: The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of the National Marine Fisheries Service, would have to issue implementing regulations within 90 days and enforce violations using Magnuson-Stevens authorities; the law ties the prohibition to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council's snapper-grouper plan.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
New ban on commercial red snapper
If enacted, this bill would bar commercial harvest of South Atlantic red snapper in Federal waters during any period when recreational harvest is prohibited. It would also bar selling, buying, trading, bartering, or offering for sale snapper taken from Federal waters during that same covered period. The bill would make these acts enforceable and punishable like violations of section 307 of the Magnuson‑Stevens Act. The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the National Marine Fisheries Service, would have to issue rules to implement this ban within 90 days of enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Scott, Austin [R-GA-8]
GA • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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