Including announcement of dates for in-person public hearings
Key Messages:
NOAA Fisheries is announcing a Notice of Availability (NOA) and Proposed Rule in support of Amendment 59 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Amendment 59) with a DEIS to end and prevent overfishing of red snapper and support rebuilding objectives.
- NOAA Fisheries prepared Amendment 59 on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce, which proposes management strategies to end and prevent overfishing of red snapper while increasing landed catch by reducing the number of dead discards.
- The amendment would increase the annual catch limits and propose the highest catch levels for red snapper since implementation of the rebuilding plan in 2010.
- The recreational catch limit would increase from 29,656 fish to 85,000 fish.
- The commercial catch limit would increase from 124,815 pounds whole weight (lbs ww) to 346,000 lbs ww.
- These catch levels are predicated on at least a 24% reduction in dead discards and would ensure the red snapper stock remains on track with, or ahead of, rebuilding plan targets.
- NOAA Fisheries is requesting comments on the actions and issues to be considered in the NOA and Proposed Rule during a 60-day comment period that begins January 14, 2025, and ends March 17, 2025. We are also requesting comments on the DEIS supporting Amendment 59 during a 45-day comment period that begins January 17, 2025, and ends March 3, 2025.
- Written comments will be collected through https://www.regulations.gov/ and NOAA Fisheries intends to hold in-person public hearings in February and March.
Summary of Proposed Rule Changes:
- Increase the recreational catch limit from 29,656 fish to 85,000 fish, and increase the commercial catch limit from 124,815 lbs ww to 346,000 lbs ww.
- Reduce dead discards by at least 24% by establishing a discard reduction season for the recreational sector during December 1 through the end of February, each year.
- The discard reduction season applies in the exclusive economic zone between 28° N (approximately Cape Canaveral) and the Florida/Georgia border (30.7° N).
- In this area, no private recreational or for-hire fisherman may fish for, harvest, or possess, a species in the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery management unit from the exclusive economic zone with hook-and-line fishing gear.
- Modify the recreational fishing season for red snapper. Currently, the recreational season consists of weekends only (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) and begins on the second Friday in July, unless otherwise specified. For 2025, the recreational fishing season would consist of Saturdays and Sundays and begin on the second Saturday in July. Beginning in 2026, the recreational fishing season would consist of Saturdays and Sundays and begin onthe second Saturday in June.
- Modify the commercial fishing season for red snapper. Currently, the commercial season starts on the second Monday in July. Beginning in 2026, the commercial fishing season would begin on May 1.
- During the commercial season, the commercial trip limit would increase from 75 lbs gutted weight (gw) to 150 lbs gw.
- Modify the South Atlantic red snapper fishing year to be May 1 through April 30. Currently, the fishing year is January 1 through December 31.
Additional management measures for red snapper in Amendment 59 that are not codified in the proposed rule but included in the amendment:
- Revise the fishing mortality proxy for determining overfishing.
- Specify the acceptable biological catch.
Establish an annual experimental studies program to include a process for requesting, evaluating, and approving proposals for innovative projects intended to reduce red snapper discards and increase fishing opportunities.
Amendment 59 can be found on our website here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/amendment-59-fishery-management-plan-snapper-grouper-fishery-south-atlantic-region.
In-Person Public Hearings – Dates and Locations:
As part of the development of Amendment 59, the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office will host a series of in-person public hearings. During these public hearings, NOAA Fisheries will review Amendment 59 and the proposed options for the management of red snapper and snapper-grouper species in South Atlantic federal waters. The structure of the public hearings will allow for a presentation on the amendment and proposed rule at 4:30 pm and 6:00 pm on February 5, 6, 24, and 25, 2025. There will be separate breakout rooms for the public to ask questions, obtain more information on Amendment 59 and the proposed rule, and formally submit public comments to NOAA Fisheries.
The March 5, 2025, public hearing will be held in conjunction with the scheduled March meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (South Atlantic Council). A presentation on the measures proposed in Amendment 59 will be provided by NOAA Fisheries at 1:00 pm and comments on Amendment 59 will be accepted during the South Atlantic Council’s scheduled public comment period starting at 4:00 pm.
The public hearings will be held at the following times and locations:
Date and Time | Location |
February 5, 2025; 4:00-8:00 pm
| Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Airport 5265 International Boulevard North Charleston, SC 29418 843-308-9330 |
February 6, 2025; 4:00-8:00 pm | The Crystal Coast Civic Center 3505 Arendell Street Morehead City, NC 28557 252-247-3883 |
February 24, 2025; 4:00-8:00 pm | Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Airport 14670 Duval Rd Jacksonville, FL 32218 904-741-4404 |
February 25 2025; 4:00-8:00 pm | Hilton Cocoa Beach 1550 N. Atlantic Avenue Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 321-613-9023 |
March 5, 2025; 1:00 presentation; 4:00 pm public comment during the scheduled South Atlantic Council meeting | Villa By the Sea 1175 Beachview Drive N Jekyll Island, GA 31527 912-635-2521 |
*For hotel and parking information, please contact the hotels listed in the table above.
**For information on the public hearings and Amendment 59, please see our “Contact” section below.
How to Comment on the Amendment and Proposed Rule and the DEIS:
The comment period for the amendment and proposed rule is open now through March 17, 2025. The comment period for the DEIS will begin on January 17, 2025, and close on March 3, 2025. NOAA Fisheries requests your comments on the amendment, proposed rule, and DEIS. You may submit comments by electronic submission via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal described below 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.
Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.
1. Go to: https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAA-NMFS-2024-0142
2. Click the "Open for Comments" icon, then the "Comment" icon, and then complete the required fields.
3. Enter or attach your comments.
Mail: Submit written comments to:
NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office,
Sustainable Fisheries Division
263 13th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505
Formal Federal Register Name/Number: 90 FR 3160, published January 14, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What action is NOAA Fisheries taking?
NOAA Fisheries is preparing Amendment 59 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Amendment 59) to end and prevent overfishing of red snapper and support rebuilding objectives.
What is a Secretarial Amendment?
A Secretarial Amendment is an amendment to a fishery management plan that is prepared by NOAA Fisheries on behalf of the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary). This Secretarial Amendment (Amendment 59) would amend the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region.
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA) provides the Secretary authority to act if a Fishery Management Council (Council) fails to develop and submit to the Secretary, after a reasonable period of time, needed conservation and management measures for a species. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (South Atlantic Council) was notified in July 2021 that red snapper was undergoing overfishing, and has not taken action pursuant to the MSA to end the overfishing.
The Secretarial Amendment is similar to other amendments to fishery management plans except NOAA Fisheries prepares the amendment, then provides the amendment to the Council (and the broader public) for consideration and comment.
What actions are considered in the amendment?
The amendment and supporting analyses evaluate a range of alternative options for setting and managing red snapper catches at levels that end and prevent overfishing and support rebuilding objectives. The amendment contains eight actions:
Action 1. Revise the Fishing Mortality at Maximum Sustainable Yield (FMSY) Proxy for Red Snapper Overfishing
Action 2. Modify the Acceptable Biological Catch for Red Snapper
Action 3. Reduce Dead Discards and Increase the Red Snapper Annual Catch Limits
Action 4. Establish New Management Measures to Achieve Dead Discard Targets
Action 5. Modify Commercial Management Measures to Further Optimize Yield
Sub-Action 5a. Increase the Commercial Trip Limit for Red Snapper
Sub-Action 5b. Modify the Commercial Fishing Season for Red Snapper
Action 6. Modify the Recreational Fishing Season for Red Snapper to Further Increase Fishing Opportunities/Optimize Yield
Action 7. Establish an Annual Experimental Studies Program
Action 8. Modify the Fishing Year for Red Snapper
Will the South Atlantic Council and public have an opportunity to provide comment?
There will be multiple opportunities for the South Atlantic Council and the public to provide comment on Amendment 59, proposed regulations, and supporting analyses. This fishery bulletin announces the public comment period for the proposed rule and the amendment. To submit public comment, follow the instructions above.
NOAA Fisheries published a notice of intent to conduct scoping under the National Environmental Policy Act on October 9, 2024 (89 FR 81892). The comment period ended on November 9, 2024.
The comment period for the amendment and proposed rule is open now through March 17, 2025. The comment period for the DEIS will open on January 17, 2025, and close on March 3, 2025. NOAA Fisheries requests your comments on the amendment, proposed rule, and DEIS. As part of the development of Amendment 59, the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office will host a series of in-person public hearings. During these public hearings, NOAA Fisheries will review Amendment 59 and the proposed options for management of red snapper and snapper-grouper species in South Atlantic federal waters. The structure of the public hearings will allow for a presentation on the amendment and proposed rule at 4:30 pm and 6:00 pm on February 5, 6, 24, and 25, 2025. There will be separate breakout rooms for the public to ask questions, obtain more information on the amendment and proposed rule, and formally submit public comments to NOAA Fisheries.
The March 5, 2025, public hearing will be held in conjunction with the scheduled March meeting of the South Atlantic Council. A presentation on the measures proposed in Amendment 59 will be provided by NOAA Fisheries staff at 1:00 pm and comments on Amendment 59 will be accepted during the South Atlantic Council’s scheduled public comment period starting at 4:00 pm.
The public hearings will be held at the following times and locations:
Date and Time | Location |
February 5, 2025; 4:00-8:00 pm
| Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Airport 5265 International Boulevard North Charleston, SC 29418 843-308-9330 |
February 6, 2025; 4:00-8:00 pm | The Crystal Coast Civic Center 3505 Arendell Street Morehead City, NC 28557 252-247-3883 |
February 24, 2025; 4:00-8:00 pm | Crowne Plaza Jacksonville Airport 14670 Duval Road Jacksonville, FL 32218 904-741-4404 |
February 25 2025; 4:00-8:00 pm | Hilton Cocoa Beach 1550 N. Atlantic Avenue Cocoa Beach, FL 32931 321-613-9023 |
March 5, 2025; 4:00 pm during the scheduled South Atlantic Council meeting | Villa By the Sea 1175 Beachview Drive N Jekyll Island, GA 31527 912-635-2521 |
What are the next steps and overall process for the development of the Secretarial Amendment?
- The Environmental Protection Agency will publish a notice of availability for the DEIS in the Federal Register and comments will be accepted on the DEIS from January 17, 2025 - March 3, 2025.
- NOAA Fisheries is announcing the notice of availability of Amendment 59 and its implementing proposed rule in the Federal Register and has made the draft document publicly available during the amendment and proposed rule comment period. To submit public comment, follow the instructions above.
- NOAA Fisheries will hold in-person public hearings in February and March 2025. The public may provide comments during the meetings. NOAA Fisheries will announce these public meetings in the Federal Register and post the dates and locations on our website here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/amendment-59-fishery-management-plan-snapper-grouper-fishery-south-atlantic-region.
- NOAA Fisheries will send Amendment 59 to the South Atlantic Council for review at their March 2025 meeting. The MSA requires that whenever the Secretary prepares a Secretarial Amendment, the Secretary shall immediately submit such plan or amendment to the appropriate Council for consideration and comment.
- A settlement agreement approved by the D.C. District Court in August 2024 mandates NOAA Fisheries to transmit the final rule implementing Amendment 59 to the Federal Register on or before June 6, 2025.
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. Comments sent by any other method (such as postal mail), to any other address or individual, or received after the end of the comment period, may not be considered.
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 Mexico Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
- Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
- Gulf of Mexico 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
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.
Contacts:
Quick Glance Contact List for the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office
Media Contact: Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750
Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan, 727-385-5202
Red Snapper Communications Specialist: Lauren Westcott 727-249-5881