Council’s Request for Red Snapper Season in 2017 Approved
NOAA Fisheries announces red snapper recreational mini-season and commercial catch limits
At the request of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, and working closely with NOAA Fisheries, an interim annual catch limit has been approved that will open the red snapper fishery to limited harvest in 2017. NOAA Fisheries announced today that the red snapper recreational fishery in the South Atlantic region will open for two consecutive 3-day weekends beginning November 3rd. Recreational fishermen may harvest red snapper in federal waters (from 3 to 200 nautical miles) November 3rd through 5th and November 10th through 12th. The recreational bag limit is 1 fish per person/day and there is no minimum size limit. </font id=“red”> The commercial fishery will open November 2nd with a 75-pound (gutted weight) trip limit and no minimum size limit. Commercial trip limits are limits on the amount of the applicable species that may be possessed on board or landed, purchased, or sold from a vessel per day.
“We sincerely appreciate the decision by the Secretary of Commerce to allow limited harvest of red snapper this year,” said Council Chair Charlie Phillips. “Approving the Council’s request for an interim catch limit for 2017 will allow fishermen limited access to the resource as the stock continues to rebuild, provide an economic boost to fishing communities impacted by Hurricane Irma, and present an opportunity for data to be collected from both recreational and commercial fishermen.” The 2017 red snapper season is based on the approved interim annual catch limit of 42,510 fish. The recreational sector is allocated 71.93% of the total annual catch limit.
During the open red snapper season, state marine resource agency personnel will be conducting surveys at various locations and collecting samples from fishermen. Anglers are encouraged to cooperate with samplers and to provide carcasses (after fillets have been removed) for data
Too funny that they wait til the last minute to make the dates with an easy ability to have NOAA give a 2 week rough weather forecast…and then what do you know…Weekend #1 unfishable for majority of boats for the SC area
Friday may yet end up fishable. Plenty of folks out there with no real jobs could go if that’s the case. Saturday and Sunday are looking less likely but it’s a weird pattern so don’t write it off just yet. I promise the NOAA Folks at OPC and NWS aren’t in “Collusion” with the SAFMC!
Surfwrangler. There are MANY things on a govt level we have no comprehension of and can not promise. There are few coincidences in life. I love your use of Collusion as it is a “hot” word at the moment! lol
Friday may yet end up fishable. Plenty of folks out there with no real jobs could go if that’s the case. Saturday and Sunday are looking less likely but it’s a weird pattern so don’t write it off just yet. I promise the NOAA Folks at OPC and NWS aren’t in “Collusion” with the SAFMC!
No real job??? I work 1/2 the year on a boat. I enjoy hunting & fishing on the weekdays & not fighting crowds
