Red Snapper Fishing Banned Off North Carolina--An Extention of Restrictions

By Jim Field

NOAA recently issued an extended ban on red snapper fishing off of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and the Atlantic coast of Florida. Next time we bottom fish in Hatteras, we need to ensure we can identify reds from the other snapper species we routinely encounter. Don't want to get in trouble with The Law.

Here's the announcement:

Southeast--NOAA Extends Fishing Ban for South Atlantic Red Snapper; Area Closure to Prevent Snapper Bycatch Temporarily Delayed

In order to protect the red snapper population in the South Atlantic, NOAA Fisheries Service will extend the ban of commercial and recreational fishing for the red snapper in federal waters off North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and the Atlantic coast of Florida. This prohibition takes effect December 3, replacing a temporary fishing prohibition due to expire December 5. The final rule authorizing the action recently filed in the Federal Register.

The final rule also includes an area closure off southern Georgia and northeastern Florida, which would prohibit commercial and recreational fishing for snappers, groupers, and some other bottomfish species to reduce bycatch of red snapper. However, this area closure will be delayed until June 1 to allow time to consider the results of a new scientific assessment that the red snapper population may be in better condition than was previously estimated. (The assessment was completed after the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council submitted its request for NOAA’s Fisheries Service to implement the final rule. By delaying the area closure, the agency is providing additional time for the council to review the new scientific assessment and reconsider the area closure.)

The final rule also requires fishermen to use non-stainless steel circle hooks, which can reduce hook-related injuries, when fishing for snapper-grouper species with natural bait in federal waters north of the 28 degrees north latitude. The circle hook requirement becomes effective March 3. For more information, please see Fishery Bulletin.