South Atlantic Red Snapper State Data Collection and Management Exempted Fishing Permits
The National Marine Fisheries Service has received 3 applications for Exempted Fishing Permits (EFP) from the states of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
On July 10, 2026, NMFS received 3 exempted fishing permit (EFP) applications from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR), and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) (or “the applicants”) for the recreational harvest of South Atlantic red snapper. Each EFP would exempt the applicable state agency and participating fishermen from specific Federal regulations applicable to the recreational harvest of red snapper in the South Atlantic. The applicants each propose to pilot test state data collection and management strategies for the recreational harvest of red snapper in 2026. The outcomes of the 2026 EFPs would inform the need and refinement of future EFP applications. The purposes of these EFPs are to improve data on recreational fishing effort, catch, and discards of red snapper in the South Atlantic and to inform the development of a long-term state-led management strategy for the recreational harvest of red snapper.
Additional Background
In early May 2026, NMFS issued EFPs to FWC, GADNR, SCDNR, and the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF). Each EFP authorized an expanded recreational fishing season in 2026 for South Atlantic red snapper in Federal waters off each respective state. On May 5, 2026, Plaintiffs in Southeastern Fisheries Association, Inc. v. Lutnick, No. 1:26-cv-1533 (D.D.C.) filed a lawsuit challenging the issuance of the EFPs under the Administrative Procedure Act. On May 10, 2026, Plaintiffs filed a motion for a preliminary injunction or stay of the effectiveness of the EFPs. On May 21, 2026, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia issued an order granting the Plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction, halting activities under all four of the EFPs that authorized the 2026 state recreational red snapper seasons in the South Atlantic. On June 26, 2026, NMFS rescinded all four EFPs. The three new applications from FWC, GADNR, and SCDNR include many common elements to the previous EFPs, but have also been modified to address the recent Court decision.
Exempted Fishing Permit Applications (July 2026)
Florida (FWC)
Georgia (GADNR)
South Carolina (SCDNR)
Fishery Bulletin
FB26-043: NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments on Three Applications for Exempted Fishing Permits to Pilot Test New Data Collection Methods and State Management Strategies for South Atlantic Red Snapper
Federal Register Notice
The Federal Register Notice published on August 10, 2026, and the comment period was open through August 25, 2026:
Federal Register Notice (91 FR 51467)
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Previous EFPs Issued in May 2026
FB26-025: NOAA Fisheries Update: Effective Immediately, No Recreational Red Snapper Fishing is Authorized Under the South Atlantic Exempted Fishing Permits - South Atlantic Red Snapper Fishing in Federal Waters Remains Closed
On November 10, 2025, NMFS received EFP applications from the FWC, GADNR, SCDNR, and NCDMF (or “the applicants”) for the recreational harvest of South Atlantic red snapper. NMFS reviewed the applications and provided feedback to the applicants on January 9, 2026. Updated applications addressing this feedback were received on January 23, 2026 (see below).
NMFS issued four EFPs to FWC, GADNR, SCDNR, and NCDMF in early May 2026. Each EFP exempted the applicable state agency and participating fishermen from specific Federal regulations applicable to the recreational harvest of red snapper in the South Atlantic. The applicants proposed to pilot test state data collection and management strategies for the recreational harvest of red snapper in 2026. The outcomes of the 2026 EFPs were expected to guide the need for, and possible refinement of, future EFP applications in 2027 and 2028. The purposes of these EFPs were to improve data on recreational fishing effort, catch, and discards of red snapper in the South Atlantic and to inform the development of a long-term state-led management strategy for the recreational red snapper fishery.
See the additional background information above for details on why these EFPs were rescinded.
Previous Exempted Fishing Permit Applications and Rescinded Permits
Florida (FWC)
Georgia (GADNR)
South Carolina (SCDNR)
North Carolina (NCDMF)
Previous Fishery Bulletins
FB26-025: NOAA Fisheries Update: Effective Immediately, No Recreational Red Snapper Fishing is Authorized Under the South Atlantic Exempted Fishing Permits - South Atlantic Red Snapper Fishing in Federal Waters Remains Closed
FB26-020: NOAA Fisheries Issues Exempted Fishing Permits Authorizing State Management of Recreational Harvested Red Snapper in the South Atlantic in 2026
FB26-004: NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments on Four Applications for Exempted Fishing Permits to Pilot Test New Data Collection Methods and State Management Strategies for South Atlantic Red Snapper
Previous Federal Register Notice
The Federal Register Notice published on February 13, 2026, and the comment period was open for 25 days after the date of publication, through March 10, 2026:
Federal Register Notice (91 FR 6827)
Note: The Federal Register Notice incorrectly stated that the North Carolina program would require all private anglers and for-hire fishermen to also apply to be data collectors under a state scientific or educational activity permit. The requirement was in the EFP application dated November 10, 2025, but was removed in the revision dated January 23, 2026.
More Information
- Return to the South Atlantic Branch Homepage
- Contact us or the applicable state agency for more details regarding their EFP applications
- Return to all recent and current South Atlantic Exempted Fishing Permits