NOAA Fisheries Announces the 2026 Commercial Red Snapper Season in South Atlantic Federal Waters Will Open on July 13, 2026; Recreational Season Will Be Announced Through a[...]

What/When:

Each year, NOAA Fisheries announces the commercial and recreational season opening dates for red snapper in federal waters of the South Atlantic. For the 2026 season:

Commercial sector

• The commercial sector will open for harvest at 12:01 a.m., local time, on July 13, 2026, and will close at 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2027, unless the commercial annual catch limit is met or projected to be met before this date.
• If the commercial sector closes before 12:01 a.m., local time, on January 1, 2027, NOAA Fisheries will announce the closure date in the Federal Register and publish another Fishery Bulletin.

Recreational sector

• A May 21, 2026, court injunction halted activities under exempted fishing permits (EFPs) that would have authorized the 2026 recreational red snapper seasons in the South Atlantic.
• All four South Atlantic states requested NOAA Fisheries withdraw their EFPs. On June 29, 2026, NOAA Fisheries rescinded the state EFPs. The states of Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina have expressed interest in reapplying for new EFPs.
• NOAA Fisheries is committed to collaboratively working with the states on a new strategy for the recreational red snapper fishery in 2026.
• At this time, the recreational sector remains closed. Opening of the recreational sector will be announced through separate notice at a later date.

During the Commercial Open Season:

• The commercial annual catch limit is 102,951 pounds whole weight.
  • The commercial trip limit is 75 pounds gutted weight.

  • There are no minimum or maximum size limits for the commercial sector.

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 Recreational Fisheries-Related Alerts
  • Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
• Gulf 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, 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.

Other contacts:

Media: Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750

Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan, 727-385-5202