Recap:
In response to a recent legal defeat concerning red snapper overfishing, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has proposed a comprehensive ban on bottom fishing across the South Atlantic region. This measure aims to prevent accidental red snapper catches by eliminating bottom fishing activities, potentially affecting areas from North Carolina to the Florida Keys. The proposal has sparked significant concern among commercial and recreational fishing communities, who fear the ban could devastate local economies and threaten their livelihoods. The situation remains dynamic, with stakeholders closely monitoring developments and advocating for balanced solutions that address conservation needs without imposing undue economic hardships.
At last night’s South Atlantic Marine Fisheries Council meeting in Cocoa Beach, headboat operators from North Carolina and South Carolina spoke in favor of a separate headboat consideration. NOAA’s stock assessments and SRHS-validated data confirm that headboats account for just 1-2% of the dead discards in Amendment 59—the smallest impact among sectors.
Notably, headboat operators from areas outside the favored closure zone, including North Carolina, South Carolina, and South Florida, also stood in opposition to including headboats in the restrictions. These captains have nothing to lose and everything to gain from the proposed closure, yet they still showed up and spoke out in support of the few South Atlantic head boats it will affect—because it’s simply wrong to include head boats in the closure.
An image of a presentation slide from NOAA Fisheries outlining "Action 4: Measures to Reduce Recreational Sector Red Snapper Dead Discards." is now making its rounds on social media, highlighting the upset in the fishing industry. The preferred sub-alternative (3B) introduces a discard reduction season from December 1 to February 28/29, covering waters from Cape Canaveral (28° North) to the Florida-Georgia border.
Key points from the slide include:
The regulation aims to achieve a 24% reduction in dead discards.
During the closure, recreational and for-hire fishers are prohibited from fishing, harvesting, or possessing Snapper-Grouper using hook-and-line gear, including trolling gear.
Spearfishing for Snapper-Grouper remains allowed, as well as trolling for pelagic species.
A map on the slide highlights the affected area offshore of Florida and Georgia. The regulation applies to waters within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and is part of NOAA's effort to improve Red Snapper management.
In light of the proposed South Atlantic bottom fishing closure, both Governor Ron DeSantis and former President Donald Trump have expressed opposition to the measure, citing concerns over its potential impact on local fishing communities. Governor DeSantis criticized the federal government's approach, stating that the proposed ban demonstrates a disconnect from on-the-water realities and could adversely affect Florida's anglers and related businesses, adding it was time for Florida to independently manage all of its fisheries. Similarly, President Donald Trump, had previously mentioned during a rally in South Carolina, addressing issues related to red snapper fishing regulations, indicating his awareness of the challenges faced by the fishing industry due to federal policies. Their involvement underscores a political dimension to the ongoing debate, as stakeholders seek support from influential leaders to balance conservation efforts with the economic well-being of coastal communities. It however remains to be seen whether or not President Trump or Governor DeSantis will be able to change the outcome of this proposal.
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