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[...]

Key Message:

NOAA Fisheries is accepting comments beginning August 10, 2026, on applications for exempted fishing permits (EFP) from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR), and South Carolina Department of Natural and Resources (SCDNR). If issued by NOAA Fisheries, 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 three applications may be found here: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/recreational-fishing/south-atlantic-red-snapper-state-data-collection-and-management

How to Comment on the Applications:

The comment period is open August 10, 2026, through August 25, 2026. You may submit comments by electronic submission to the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal. Comments sent by any other method (such as e-mail), to any other address or individual than outlined below, or received after the end of the comment period will not be considered by NMFS.

Electronic Submissions: Submit all electronic public comments via the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal.

1. Go to https://www.regulations.gov/docket/NOAA-NMFS-2026-2245 (link will not be active until after publication of the EFP comment period in the Federal Register on August 10^th)

2. Click the "Comment" icon, and then complete the required fields.

3. Enter or attach your comments.

General Overview of EFP Applications

• The states are requesting EFPs to test new red snapper data collection methods and state management strategies for recreational anglers in 2026 that would otherwise be prohibited by federal regulations.
• The purpose of the EFPs is to improve data on recreational fishing effort, catch, and discards of red snapper in the South Atlantic to inform the development of a long-term red snapper state management strategy.
• Additional purposes of the EFPs are to evaluate mandatory electronic reporting programs for monitoring catch, provide recreational fishermen on privately owned vessels (private vessels, private anglers) and the owners or operators of charter vessels or headboats (for-hire fishermen) increased fishing opportunities for red snapper, quantify angler participation and characterize angler behavior, and collect related biological information from the fishery.
• 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 EFP projects would guide the need for and possible refinement of future EFP applications.

• The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) did not submit an EFP application and has instead requested a separate recreational season for red snapper in federal waters.

2026 Season Information

• Under the state proposals, recreational harvest of red snapper would be allowed during specified red snapper seasons in South Atlantic state and Federal waters off Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
• Each proposal would allow the recreational harvest of red snapper in state and Federal waters daily during October 2026 with additional fishing days possible in December if monitoring demonstrates the state's harvest limit has not been met.
• All recreational harvest of red snapper would be closed in November.
• Each applicant would monitor red snapper landings harvested under an EFP, and if the number of fish approaches or reaches the proposed harvest limit before the end of October, harvest under an individual EFP would be prohibited for the rest of 2026. Applicants would communicate fishery closures to EFP participants through email and other electronic media.
• Each applicant would evaluate October landings data relative to its proposed harvest limit during November to determine whether further red snapper harvest is available under an EFP. If an applicant determines that red snapper landings have not reached its proposed harvest limit, the applicant would allow for further fishing days so its participants could harvest red snapper during December 2026 and would communicate those dates to NMFS.

• The applicants proposed these recreational seasons to gather baseline data over a longer and more varied period compared to recent Federal seasons, and after consideration of fishery and environmental data, and public input.

Harvest Limits

• The proposed harvest limits for red snapper off the respective states for the 2026 recreational seasons are:
  • Florida - 185,379 fish.
  • Georgia - 10,759 fish.
  • South Carolina - 19,253 fish.
• The applications detail the methodologies for how the applicants determined the expected harvest amounts and proposed limits.
• Under the EFPs, participants would be able to retain one red snapper per person per day if they meet the other required conditions. Additionally, each of the applicants proposes to prohibit the retention of red snapper by the captain and crew of a for-hire vessel. In addition to the bag limit, SCDNR proposes a minimum size limit of 20 inches in total length to match the current minimum size limit in state waters.

• A final decision on the issuance of the EFPs will depend on NOAA Fisheries' review of public comments received, consultations with each of the 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

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Additional Background

• In early May 2026, NMFS issued EFPs to FWC, GADNR, SCDNR, and 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 after each state requested their application be withdrawn.

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

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