President Trump announces approval of South Atlantic red snapper Exempted Fishing Permits
President Trump announces approval of South Atlantic red snapper Exempted Fishing Permits
America’s anglers celebrate as state-led management advances
Washington, D.C. – May 1, 2026 – Anglers along the South Atlantic coast are celebrating today as President Trump announced the issuance of exempted fishing permits to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. The permits advance state-led efforts to improve red snapper management and expand recreational access and will now be used to manage recreational seasons in 2026. These state-led pilot programs will test improved recreational data collection and management strategies providing better information and enhancing public access to the fishery.
South Atlantic red snapper has been a source of intense frustration among anglers for years. After being closed to harvest in 2010, public adherence to severe conservation measures succeeded in putting the stock on track to rebuild nearly 20 years ahead of schedule. However, extensive flaws in the federal recreational data system led to the continuation of harsh restrictions on recreational seasons, which have been limited to a handful of days at most for 15 years. A groundswell of support for state-led alternatives from governors; attorneys general; Members of Congress; state legislators, and state fisheries experts began when federal managers indicated that those restrictions on recreational harvest would not only remain in effect in perpetuity but could also be expanded to closures to all bottom fishing.
“The Administration’s visionary embrace of cooperative federalism wins the day — and the summer. Their willing partnership with willing South Atlantic states brings the region hope for calm waters and exciting catches of a plentiful fishery resource,” said Jeff Angers, president of the Center for Sportfishing Policy. “The state agencies are willing and anxious to do the hard work. It’s a win-win for the fish, the anglers and coastal communities. We thank President Trump for his leadership in advancing a path forward for South Atlantic anglers.”
To test their systems and begin gaining valuable insight into recreational fishing activity and harvest, the states filed for the exempted fishing permits to allow for different seasons and lengths. The State of Florida, which will implement the same system it already uses to manage red snapper recreational anglers on its Gulf Coast, will open for a 39-day season running from May 22 through June 20, with additional three-day weekends in October. Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina coordinated on a data system in which anglers will utilize an app funded by Yamaha to report their catches. Those three states will monitor a 62-day red snapper season that will run from July 1 to August 31.
“The Administration’s decision to approve these exempted fishing permits marks a pivotal step toward modernizing red snapper management in the South Atlantic. For years, CSF and the recreational fishing community have advocated for proven, state-led data collection efforts that deliver more timely and accurate harvest information,” said Jeff Crane, president and CEO of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. “This commonsense, science-driven approach better aligns management with on-the-water realities and the appropriate public access to abundant red snapper in the South Atlantic.”
“The EFPs have broad support not just from anglers but also from leadership across the four states including Governors, members of Congress, Attorneys General, and state legislators,” said Pat Murray, president of Coastal Conservation Association. “We greatly appreciate all the work put into this effort by the state agencies to improve management of this fishery and applaud the Administration for this far-sighted decision to make the South Atlantic red snapper fishery a model for cooperative federal-state management under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.”
“The approval of these exempted fishing permits represents meaningful progress toward ensuring South Atlantic red snapper management decisions are based on accurate information that better reflects the experiences of anglers on the water,” said Glenn Hughes, president and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association. “We appreciate the states for their bold vision to improve this fishery and are grateful for the leadership of the Trump Administration and the countless others involved in advancing a framework that supports both sustainable fisheries and reasonable public access to this important resource.”
“Today’s announcement from President Trump is a tremendous step towards restoring access and improving the long-term management of the South Atlantic red snapper fishery, which has been a top priority of the recreational boating and fishing community,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president and CEO at the National Marine Manufacturers Association. “We value the Administration’s efforts to drive better, state-led data collection that can deliver longer, more stable seasons while maintaining strong conservation outcomes. We appreciate the administration’s continued efforts to empower states, modernize fisheries management, and protect access to public waters – a cornerstone of an industry that supports 812,000 American jobs and generates $230 billion in annual economic impact.”
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