The Atlantic red snapper population is the healthiest it has been in decades.
Anglers know it. Captains see it. The data confirms it.
So when access has been reduced to just a handful of days—including a two-day federal season in 2025 for a fishery that can support months of fishing—the frustration has been real and justified.
At the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show, progress finally started to match reality.
Under the leadership of Neil Jacobs, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced several meaningful reforms that directly impact South Atlantic red snapper management, recreational fishing access, and the modernization of federal fisheries data systems.
And this goes far beyond one species.
STATE-LED RED SNAPPER MANAGEMENT MOVES FORWARD
The states are ready. NOAA agrees it’s time to let them lead.
Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina submitted Exempted Fishing Permit proposals that would allow the states to test improved data collection and significantly expand recreational red snapper seasons.
If approved:
- Florida would implement a 39-day season
- Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina would implement 62-day seasons
That’s 37 more days than 2025’s federal season in Florida—and 60 more days in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Access that actually reflects what’s swimming offshore.
This isn’t untested territory.Â
The Gulf already ran this playbook. State-led red snapper management delivered longer seasons, better data, and stronger conservation outcomes. The South Atlantic is ready for the same. The South Atlantic isn’t asking for a gamble. It’s asking for the same playbook that already won.
These proposals are now published in the Federal Register and open for public comment.
This represents something anglers have been asking for: state-driven management, localized data, and practical solutions that reflect what is actually happening on the water.
MODERNIZING RECREATIONAL FISHING DATA
NOAA also announced the Recreational Angler Partnership Improvement Directive, or RAPID.
This initiative creates a pathway for states and regional partners to help design a modern replacement for the Marine Recreational Information Program—the federal system for tracking recreational fishing data since 2008 that anglers and states have long argued doesn’t accurately capture what’s happening on the water.
You can’t manage fisheries with bad data. Period.
Get the data right, and the rest follows — seasons get longer, trust gets earned, and conservation holds.
These reforms aren’t just about red snapper or recreational data—they’re about updating systems that haven’t kept pace with reality.
VESSEL SPEED RULE REOPENED FOR REVIEW
NOAA announced it will reopen the 2008 vessel speed rule for updated review and public input.
Regulations must evolve with science and technology. Reexamining long-standing rules through a transparent public process is how policy stays relevant and effective.
CONSERVATION AND ACCESS ARE NOT OPPOSITES
At Contender, we do not separate conservation from access. They are inseparable.
Healthy fisheries are the foundation of everything we do. But access to those fisheries is what sustains coastal communities, fuels conservation funding, and keeps the next generation connected to the water.
The recreational boating and fishing industry generates $230 billion in annual economic impact, supporting more than 812,000 jobs and 36,000 businesses nationwide. The stakes here aren’t just fishing days—they’re livelihoods, coastal economies, and a way of life.
Joe Neber, President of Contender Boats, shared his perspective:
“We’ve always believed conservation and access go hand in hand. Our customers are on the water every day. They see the strength of the fishery, and they care deeply about protecting it. What we want is management that reflects real conditions and real data. We appreciate NOAA’s willingness to collaborate with the states and modernize the system. When agencies listen, when science improves, and when stakeholders work together, everyone wins—especially the resource.”
That is the balance we fight for. Fierce commitment to conservation. Equally fierce commitment to protecting anglers’ right to access abundant fisheries responsibly.
Contender is proud to stand alongside the broader recreational fishing industry in pushing for reforms that serve both the fishery and the people who depend on it.
Public comment open through March 10. Submit now.
NOAA Fisheries is accepting public comment on the South Atlantic state EFP proposals through March 10, 2026.
If you support state-led red snapper pilot programs, improved recreational data collection, and balanced fisheries management, make your voice heard.
Progress requires participation. The future of abundant fisheries and the right to fish them depends on anglers speaking up.Â
We chase fish aggressively. We protect them just as fiercely.
