NOAA Fisheries announced today a revised 2014 red snapper recreational season in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico, reducing the season from the previously announced 11 days to only nine days. The news comes after both Louisiana and Florida elected to have a red snapper season in state waters longer than the federal season. Both states adopted their non-compliant 2014 seasons (year-round and 52 days respectively) after the 11-day proposed federal season was announced in April. Federal fisheries managers had indicated at that time that the federal season would likely be revised as a result of the states’ actions. Texas continues to have a year-round, non-compliant season.
“The purpose of this rulemaking,” according to the announcement, “is to better ensure red snapper recreational landings do not exceed the recreational quota established in the rebuilding plan, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Court’s ruling.”
The 2014 Gulf of Mexico red snapper recreational season in federal waters will open at 12:01 a.m., June 1, 2014, and close at 12:01 a.m., on June 10, 2014. The red snapper bag limit is 2 fish with a 16-inch minimum total length size limit. The actual regulations can be read here.
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