The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries withdrew the proposed bottomfishing closure…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries withdrew the proposed bottomfishing closure from Amendment 59 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic. While much work remains to set South Atlantic red snapper management on a path to sensible management, the sportfishing industry appreciates the decision by NOAA and looks forward to working closely with the Administration and Congress to improve data collection and expand recreational access for South Atlantic reef fisheries.  

NOAA Fisheries prepared the proposed Secretarial Amendment as part of a legal agreement that requires the agency to take action to end overfishing of red snapper in the South Atlantic. This settlement was based on notoriously unreliable data collected by NOAA under the Marine Recreational Information Program—Fishing Estimate Survey (MRIP-FES). A recent study by NOAA Fisheries on MRIP-FES revealed that the program’s estimates may be off by as much as 30-40%.  

Additionally, both anglers and NOAA’s scientists agree that there are more red snapper in the South Atlantic than at any time in recent memory. Sacrifices made by recreational anglers and the sportfishing industry to rebuild the fishery nearly 20 years ahead of schedule should be rewarded with expanded opportunities rather than unnecessary, heavy-handed closures. As such, removing the overfished and undergoing overfishing designation for South Atlantic red snapper, as stated in Amendment 59, was warranted even without a fishing closure that would have sidelined anglers.  

Moving forward, continued efforts to improve data collection and management are necessary to assist in providing more reasonable access. The South Atlantic Great Red Snapper Count is underway and is expected to be completed later this summer. Additionally, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina recently sent a letter to the Trump Administration formally requesting to jumpstart state management of Atlantic red snapper and other reef fish. As we’ve seen in the Gulf, states can effectively lead management while balancing conservation and access to fishery resources. Unfortunately, Amendment 59 still maintains an unacceptably short recreational season of just two days for 2025: July 11 and 12. 

ASA thanks the hundreds of elected officials, anglers, and industry partners who joined the opposition to the South Atlantic bottom fishing closure. ASA would also like to specifically acknowledge Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) and Representatives John Rutherford (R-FL) and Darin Soto (D-FL) for introducing the bipartisan Red Snapper Act, which would prohibit any area closures related to red snapper until the Great Red Snapper Count is completed and taken into account. 

Lastly, ASA wants to extend our appreciation to Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries, Eugenio Piñeiro Soler, for his leadership and level-headed approach to finalizing this Amendment.

by Fish Poster