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Snapper Fishery Information

Red Snapper
(Species Description)

Gulf of Mexico

There are New Red Snapper Regulations for all waters of the Gulf of Mexico.  The new recreational bag limit is now 2 fish per person and the captain and crew of for-hire vessels (i.e., charter boats) are prohibited from harvesting red snapper.  The recreational season opens on April 15^th in state waters (out to 9 miles from shore) and closes on November 1.  In federal waters (beyond 9 miles from shore), the season will begin on June 1 and close September 30.  In addition, there are new gear requirements for all reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico, including red snapper.

For more information, visit the red snapper page.

Atlantic Ocean

Red snapper in the Atlantic Ocean have been shown to be overfished (low population abundance) and undergoing overfishing (excessive fishing rate) according to the recent stock assessment completed in early 2008.   Federal regulations stipulate that these conditions will require action to reduce the level of harvest.  Public hearings on potential regulations will in Florida on May 7 (Key Largo) and May 9 (Port Canaveral).  This issue will also be on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council agenda for its June 8-13 meeting in Orlando.   The FWC will monitor and actively participate in these deliberations and may address any potential regulation changes for state waters following the Council's actions.

• Red Snapper Scoping Document
• Red Snapper Stock Assessment (SEDAR 15)

For more information, visit the South Atlantic Council website at www.safmc.net. 

Vermilion Snapper
(Species Description)

The South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council is considering changes to snapper regulations in federal waters off Florida's east coast. These regulatory changes would further restrict fishing for vermilion snapper in the entire South Atlantic. The most recent stock assessment indicates that overfishing (i.e., excessive rate of fishing) is occurring. Current fishing mortality is estimated at more than 2 times the maximum allowable rate to sustain the fishery for the long-term.

Current regulations for vermilion snapper on the Atlantic coast include a 12-inch minimum size limit for recreational and commercial fisheries and a 10-fish recreational bag limit.  Changes to recreational regulations could include a lower bag limit, an increase in the minimum size limit, and a seasonal closure.  The commercial harvest quota is also likely to be reduced. The FWC is actively participating in the rule-making process and may address any potential regulation changes for state waters following the Council's actions.

For further details on proposed changes, review the

• April 2008 Background Report
• South Atlantic Council Press Release
• Summary of Gag-Vermilion Public Hearing Document (SAFMC)
• Gag-Vermilion Public Hearing Document

Photo Credit: Kyle Millerp>

Other Regulations Information

• Hot Sheet – Latest News

• Recreational Snapper Regulations Table

• Commercial Snapper Regulations Table

• State Reef Fish Rule, 68B-14, F.A.C.

• Federal Code of Regulations

• Marine Fisheries Regulations Information

Species Accounts (FWRI)

• Gray Snapper
• Lane Snapper
• Red Snapper
• Vermilion Snapper

General Snapper Information

• Stock Assessments (SEDAR)
• NMFS Southeast Regional Office