Red Snapper Regulations for 2023 are announced by NOAA.

• On June 1, 2023, the season for officially permitted for-hire reef fish vessels will begin at 12:01 a.m. local time, and it will end at noon on August 25.
• Note for Secret Anglers: The personal fishing season for state and federal waters will be set by each Gulf state. For certain dates, please contact your state firm.

How the Time was Chosen:

• The entire recreational quota for red snapper is 7, 546, 000 pounds. The for-hire component receives 42.3 % of the quota, while the private angling component is given 57.7 %.
• Regarding the for-hire element:
• The national for-hire component’s 2023 limit is 3, 191, 958 pounds overall.
• The national for-hire component’s annual catch target is 2, 904, 682 weight whole weight, or 91 % of the limit.
• Using current capture rates and average weights of landed fish, the national for-hire component estimated how many days it would take to reach its annual capture goal.
• During the provincial for-hire red center season, NOAA Fisheries has proposed a rule that could be put into effect to raise Gulf Red Snaper catch limits. These new capture limits wouldn’t alter the national for-hire season duration if they were put into effect. For more details, see the discussion in” Frequently Asked Questions” below.

Fishing in national waters is governed by the following rules:

• Reef Fishing Vessels with a Federal Gulf Charter or Headboat Permit:
• When the federal for-hire period is over, passengers on a reef fish vehicle that has been granted federal permits are not allowed to fish for or own red center in federal or state waters.
• When the national for-hire period is over, people on board the vessel are not allowed to fish for or own red snapper in federal waterways at any time during that hunting season.
• Even if the ship isn’t acting as a contract vehicle, such as when the captain is fishing with his or her family, these limitations still apply.
• These limitations are in place regardless of any other permits that the vehicle may have.
• Regulations that are pertinent include 50 CRF 622.39( c ) and 622.2( q ) ( 2 ) ( ii ) ( B ). You can view these rules at https:// www.ecfr.gov / current / title-50 / chapter-VI / part-622.
• Without a Federal Gulf Charter or Headboat Permit for Reef Fish, State-licensed for-hire warships:
• Dark snapper personal angling is managed by the Gulf states, but for-hire vessels are not permitted to fish for or own them in or out of federal waters without a national permit.
• Please refer to the state laws governing red snapper fish in state waters.
• Fishing arteries with a Federal Gulf Commercial Reef Permit:
• If they declare they are responsibly fishing when they hail out through the vehicle tracking system or call-in system, people on board the ship you fish for red snapper when the personal angling season is available.
• If the ship also has a Federal Gulf Charter or Headboat Permit for Reef Fish( view below ), this is not applicable.
• No business quantities of any coast fish species may be brought on board, and the fish may not be sold while on a pleasure trip.
• Regulations that are pertinent include 50 CFR 622.39( b ), 642.28( e ), and 642.2( a ) ( 2 ). You can view these rules at https:// www.ecfr.gov / current / title-50 / chapter-VI / part-622.

Questions That Are Often Asked:

What are the 2023 quotas and monthly catch goals?

• The total weight of the red snapper limit in the Gulf for both the professional and recreational areas is 15.4 million pounds. 49 % of that total, or 7, 546, 000 pounds overall fat, is allocated to the fun sector. 42.3 % of the recreational field quota, or 3, 191, 958 pounds overall weight, is allotted to the federal for-hire component.
• The federal for-hire annual catch target is 2, 904, 862 pounds overall( up from 2, 848, 000 pounds in 2022 ), or 91 % of its quota. The possibility of a limit overdraft is reduced by this buffer.

How is the length of the year decided?

• The monthly get target serves as the foundation for the season.
• Compared to last year, the annual find target is higher.
• Regular get prices are assumed to be the same as they have been in recent years when determining the time.
• The period will last 85 days this year, based on the daily catch rate from 2020 to 2022.

New get limits have been suggested by NOAA Fisheries and could be put into effect during the for-hire fish period( see table below ). Will there be any change to the length of the for-hire time if NOAA Fisheries implements a law that raises the red snapper get limitations after the first year of hiring has started?

• No, NOAA Fisheries determined the length of the for-hire time based on a variety of scenarios and taking into account all variables that might affect produce rate and overall harvest. The for-hire fishing community and those who use their services will benefit the most from NOAA Fisheries’ use of the best medical data available in establishing a time for hire that will not produce more harvests than the red snapper stock is capable of handling.