Key Message:
NOAA Fisheries is accepting comments on applications for exempted fishing permits (EFP) from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The EFPs are required for three proposed projects that would test management strategies that could reduce discards of red snapper and other managed snapper-grouper species, create additional opportunities to participate in sustainable recreational harvest, and improve angler satisfaction.
How to Comment on the Applications:
The comment period is open now through July 22, 2025. You may submit comments by electronic submission or by postal mail. Comments sent by any other method (such as e-mail), to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered by NOAA Fisheries.
Application information: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/bycatch/south-atlantic-red-snapper-exempted-fishing-permits-2025-2026.
Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.
1. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAA-NMFS-2025-0174/document and https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAA-NMFS-2025-0175/document.
2. Click the "Comment" icon and complete the required fields.
3. Enter or attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to Mary Vara, NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
Program Concepts
- The recently updated South Atlantic red snapper stock assessment (2024) indicates that the stock is no longer overfished, but is still rebuilding. On June 11, 2025, NMFS published in the Federal Register the final rule for Amendment 59 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic (90 FR 24527). Among other measures, Amendment 59 revised the fishing mortality at maximum sustainable yield proxy for determining overfishing, and as a result, the red snapper stock is no longer classified as undergoing overfishing. Post-release mortality from recreational fishing continues to be the primary source of fishing mortality.
- The projects would apply in state and Federal waters, and would contribute to an improved understanding of recreational discards in the snapper-grouper fishery and test management strategies to reduce discards of red snapper and other snapper-grouper species.
- One of the proposed projects would allow six private recreational vessels, six charter vessels, and one headboat vessel to take four fishing trips every three months over the sampling period. During these trips, participants would be permitted to harvest no more than 10 fish per person per day under a unique snapper-grouper aggregate bag limit. Each vessel would have a red snapper limit and be allowed to retain up to 24 red snapper for private recreational and charter vessels or 36 red snapper for headboat vessels. Each participant on a vessel trip would be required to stop directed snapper-grouper fishing once their individual snapper-grouper aggregate bag limit of 10 fish had been met, or the vessel limit of 24 red snapper for private recreational and charter vessels or 36 red snapper for headboat vessels had been met, whichever occurred first.
- The other two proposed projects would select 100 participants every three months over the sampling period. The participants would be chosen through a lottery. Depending on project location, each participant would be allowed to take two or three fishing trips per three-month period and would be allowed to harvest three or four South Atlantic red snapper combined with a maximum 10-fish unique snapper-grouper aggregate bag limit per person per day. Once participants reached the aggregate bag limit, they would be required to stop directed snapper-grouper fishing.
- Participants in all three proposed projects would be required to hail in/hail out, report information through a mobile smartphone/tablet application, take an educational online course, and participate in pre- and post-participation surveys.
NOAA Fisheries finds these applications warrant further consideration and is seeking public comment on the three applications. A final decision on the issuance of the EFPs will depend on NOAA Fisheries' review of public comments received, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Councils’ recommendations, consultations with the affected states, and the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as a determination that a decision to issue the EFPs is consistent with all applicable laws.
Sign Up for Text Message Alerts - Find Out About Immediate Openings and Closures
NOAA's Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery-related alerts via text message (SMS). Standard message & data rates may apply. You may opt out at any time.
Text alerts you may receive include:
- Immediate fishery openings and closures
- Any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly
Sign up for one or more of the following groups:
- Gulf of America Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
- Gulf of America Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text GULFCOMMFISH to 888777
- South Atlantic Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text SATLRECFISH to 888777
- South Atlantic Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text SATLCOMMFISH to 888777
- Caribbean Fisheries-Related Alerts
- Text CARIBFISH to 888777
Quick Glance Contact List for the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office
Permits Mailbox: The Permits Office in St. Petersburg, FL 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.
Other contacts:
Media: Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750
Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan, 727-385-5202
