HR470119th CongressWALLET

Red Snapper Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Rutherford

Introduced

Summary

Pauses South Atlantic area and bottom closures for snapper-grouper species until independent survey data are integrated. This bill would stop the Commerce Secretary from issuing any interim or final rule or Secretarial Amendment that creates an area or bottom closure in the South Atlantic for species managed under the Snapper-Grouper Fishery Plan until the South Atlantic Great Red Snapper Count study is finished and its data are included in the first Southeast Data, Assessment and Review red snapper stock assessment after enactment.

Show full summary
  • Recreational and commercial fishermen: Keeps potential broad area and bottom closures off the table while the survey is completed, which preserves fishing access and seasons in the short term.
  • Fishery managers and science: Requires the National Marine Fisheries Service to wait to use closure tools until the South Atlantic Great Red Snapper Count is complete and its data are integrated into the next SDAR red snapper assessment. The bill notes $8.7 million was invested in independent survey data over three fiscal years, including $3.3 million for the Count.
  • Florida and the regional economy: Aims to protect economic activity tied to recreational red snapper fishing. The bill cites $14 million in economic output from Florida recreational anglers and 119,000 jobs.

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Pause on South Atlantic fishing closures

This bill would halt new area or bottom closures for species under the South Atlantic snapper–grouper plan. The Commerce Department would not be able to issue interim or final rules or Secretarial Amendments that include such closures. The pause would last until two steps happen: the Great Red Snapper Count is finished, and its data is used in the first South Atlantic red snapper stock assessment after enactment. If passed, this could keep current fishing spots open for commercial and recreational fishers during the pause.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Rutherford

FL • R

Cosponsors

  • Soto

    FL • D

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Bean (FL)

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Carter (GA)

    GA • R

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Mace

    SC • R

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Webster (FL)

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Bilirakis

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Donalds

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Franklin, Scott

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Salazar

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Dunn (FL)

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Lee (FL)

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Mast

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Gimenez

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Fry

    SC • R

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Scott, Austin

    GA • R

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Luna

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/16/2025

  • Ezell

    MS • R

    Sponsored 1/21/2025

  • Rouzer

    NC • R

    Sponsored 1/21/2025

  • Diaz-Balart

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/21/2025

  • Mills

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/23/2025

  • Steube

    FL • R

    Sponsored 1/23/2025

  • Moskowitz

    FL • D

    Sponsored 2/6/2025

  • Buchanan

    FL • R

    Sponsored 3/10/2025

  • Haridopolos

    FL • R

    Sponsored 4/17/2025

  • McDowell

    NC • R

    Sponsored 4/17/2025

  • Fine

    FL • R

    Sponsored 6/9/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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