Approved Exempted Fishing Permits Jeopardize South Atlantic Red Snapper

(WASHINGTON) – Today, President Trump announced the approval of permits from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to exempt the states of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina and their private anglers from federal rules under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act for the recreational harvest of South Atlantic red snapper in 2026. The permits would significantly increase the number of fishing days while the red snapper stock is still recovering from historical overfishing.

“Recreational fishing is an American pastime, and responsible innovation is critical to managing fisheries for the future. But NOAA’s decision allows states to sidestep core federal safeguards that exist to prevent overfishing at a time when South Atlantic red snapper remains overfished and under a rebuilding plan. These permits go well beyond the limited, pilot-scale purpose of exempted fishing permits and instead function as an alternative management system without enforceable catch limits or accountability measures required by law.

“NOAA’s own science supported only a two-day recreational fishing season in 2025. Approving seasons lasting up to two months without conservation protections puts at risk years of hard work by fishermen to rebuild South Atlantic red snapper. Expanded access without enforceable guardrails threatens both the health of the stock and the long-term stability of fishing communities along the coast of the South Atlantic.

“Innovation should strengthen, not weaken, science-based fisheries management. This decision is misguided and jeopardizes the recovery of South Atlantic red snapper for future generations.”