Gulf Red Snapper

Red Snapper, Other Snapper

Red Snapper

Gulf of Mexico

Recreational Regulations for state and federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico

Red Snapper

2012 Open Harvest Season

Min. Size Limit

Daily Bag Limit

State and Federal Waters

!NEW! June 1-July 10

16" total length

2 per harvester per
day

(included in the 10 per
harvester per day state
snapper aggregate bag limit)*

Gear rules apply. Visit gear rules page for more information.

*Zero daily bag and possession limit for captain and crew on for hire vessels.

Management

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission set the 2012 recreational red snapper season in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico to June 1 through July 10, a 40-day season. This decision was made at the May 2 Commission meeting in Crystal River.

This season is the same as the proposed federal season. The Commission also voted to keep the June 1 through July 10 season, regardless of whether the 2012 federal season is further shortened.

View a press release on the Commission meeting and red snapper changes.

Recreational and commercial fishers in Gulf waters off Florida are required to use dehooking devices when fishing for reef fish, including red snapper. Visit the reef fish gear rules page for more information.

View a history of Red Snapper management in Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters.

Commercial

The commercial minimum size limit of harvested and imported fish is 13 inches total length
The commercial daily bag and trip limit is 2 fish per person in state waters
The commercial quota set at 3.66 million pounds
Commercial harvesters must possess an Individual Fishing Quota allocation
Seasonal and area closures are in place for the commercial shrimping industry to reduce effort in order in minimize juvenile red snapper bycatch

For more information:

Gulf Red Snapper Research

The FWCs Fish and Wildlife Research Institute is seeking recreational anglers to volunteer to take catch cards on their next offshore fishing trip to record the numbers of red snapper harvested and a tally of red snapper released by size and hook location.

Links to Federal agencies and reports:

Other Snapper

Recreational Regulations for state waters of the Gulf of Mexico

Gulf Snapper	Min. Size	Closed Season	Bag Limit	Remarks
Black and Wenchman Snapper			Included within 10 per harvester per day bag limit
Cubera Snapper	12" (see remarks)		Included within 10 per harvester per day bag limit	May possess no more than 2 Cubera Snapper over 30" per harvester or vessel per day, whichever is less. 30" or larger no included within the Snapper aggregate bag limit.
Gray/Mangrove Snapper	10"		5 per harvester per day	Included within 10 per harvester per day bag limit
Lane Snapper	8"			Not included in the 10 per harvester per day bag limit
Mutton Snapper	16"		Included within 10 per harvester per day bag limit
Schoolmaster Snapper	10"		Included within 10 per harvester per day bag limit
Vermilion Snapper	10"		10 per harvester per day	Not included in the 10 per harvester per day bag limit
Snapper, other	12"		Included within 10 per harvester per day bag limit	Includes: Blackfin, Dog, Mahogany, Queen, Silk and Yellowtail