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What/When:
- The Gulf of Mexico federal red snapper federal for-hire season will reopen at 12:01 a.m., local time, on November 18, 2024, and will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2025.
- The 2024 Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishing season in federal waters for vessels with federal for-hire (charter/headboat) reef fish permits was 88 days (opened June 1, 2024, and closed at 12:01 a.m. local time on August 28, 2024).
- Based on updated landings data, NOAA Fisheries determined that the red snapper recreational federal for-hire annual catch target was not reached during the open season. Therefore, NOAA Fisheries is reopening the season to provide Gulf of Mexico federally permitted for-hire fishermen opportunity to catch the remaining allocation.
- Private Anglers Note: This reopening does not affect the recreational private angler season, which is determined by state agencies. Please check with your state agency for information on your state’s red snapper fishing season.
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Why is the Gulf of Mexico recreational red snapper federal for-hire season reopening?
- The annual catch target for the federal recreational red snapper for-hire component is 3,076,322 pounds whole weight. NOAA Fisheries estimates that Gulf of Mexico recreational federally permitted for-hire fishermen only caught 2,193,710 pounds whole weight of the catch limit. This means 882,612 pounds whole weight of red snapper remains.
- If the annual catch target for the red snapper federal for-hire component is not reached or exceeded during the normal open season, NOAA Fisheries may reopen this component to allow fishermen opportunity to catch the remaining allocation without greatly increasing the risk of exceeding the annual catch target or the overfishing limit.
How was the length of the reopened season determined?
- There are 882,612 pounds whole weight of red snapper remaining that can be landed by the federally permitted for-hire component in 2024.
- The last time the Gulf of Mexico red snapper federal for-hire component was reopened for a fall season was in 2021. That season resulted in a daily catch rate of approximately 9,300 pounds whole weight per day.
- Based on an estimated catch rate, the federal for-hire red snapper season is expected to last through the end of the year.
How is the Gulf of Mexico recreational red snapper private angler component managed?
- The recreational red snapper private angler component is determined by each of the Gulf of Mexico states. It is not affected by this reopening.
- The reopening also does not apply to private anglers or operators of state licensed for-hire vessels without a federal for-hire permit because they are considered a part of the red snapper private angling component.
- Please check with your state agency for information on your state’s red snapper fishing season.
How is the Gulf of Mexico commercial red snapper sector managed?
- The commercial harvest of red snapper is managed under an Individual Fishing Quota system and will remain open.
Where can I find more information on the red snapper fishery in the Gulf?
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Sign Up for Text Message Alerts
Our Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery related alerts via text message (SMS). Standard message and data rates may apply. You may opt-out at any time. Text alerts you may receive include immediate fishery openings and closures and any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly.
Sign up for one or more of the fisheries-related alerts below by texting the following to 888777:
- Gulf of Mexico Recreational: Text GULFRECFISH
- Gulf of Mexico Commercial: Text GULFCOMMFISH
- South Atlantic Recreational: Text SATLRECFISH
- South Atlantic Commercial: Text SATLCOMMFISH
- Caribbean: Text CARIBFISH
Permits Mailbox
The Permits Office in St. Petersburg, Florida now has a Permits mailbox in the front lobby (263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701). You can now drop off original permits for permit transfers. Envelopes with information labels will be provided so that your documents can be attached to the correct application. The mailbox will be checked daily. For more information contact the Permits Office at (877) 376-4877.
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Other Contacts
Media: Allison Garrett (727) 551-5750
Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan (727) 385-5202
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