Governor Ron DeSantis announces plan for Florida to manage Atlantic Red Snapper season starting in 2026 to expand fishing opportunities

Fernandina Beach, Florida – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced today that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has formally submitted an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) request to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, marking a significant step toward transferring management of the recreational red snapper fishery from federal to state control along the Atlantic Coast. If approved, Florida would assume management beginning in 2026, offering anglers substantially greater access to one of the state’s most sought-after fish species.

“State management and expansion of Gulf snapper season have been a major boon for our Gulf of America communities, allowing so many Floridians and visitors to enjoy the Red Snapper our waters have to offer,” said Governor DeSantis. “I was proud to announce that Florida anglers will soon be able to enjoy more Atlantic Red Snapper fishing as well. The Trump Administration has taken action to rein in the bureaucracy and return this power to the states, where it belongs. To that end, Florida has submitted a formal request to the federal government for state management of the recreational red snapper fishery. Just as it has on the Gulf coast, Florida’s management of Atlantic Red Snapper fishing will boost local economies along our Atlantic coast, supporting tackle and bait shops, hotels, restaurants, and the entire recreational fishing community.”

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The proposal comes amid a broader effort to restore state authority over fisheries that have long been tightly regulated at the federal level. Since January, the Trump Commerce Department, led by Secretary Lutnick, has advocated for anglers, rejecting federal attempts to impose extensive closures along the Atlantic seaboard. Florida’s submission follows collaborative efforts from governors, attorneys general, and congressional delegations in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, all seeking to enhance fishing opportunities while ensuring conservation of marine resources.

“Florida has proven it can effectively and efficiently manage the Atlantic recreational red snapper fishery,” said Roger Young, Executive Director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, the state has expanded access for and delivered greater opportunities for anglers in the Gulf year after year—demonstrating a strong commitment to both conservation and the fishing community. We are excited and ready to bring this level of expertise to manage the Atlantic recreational red snapper fishery.”

Under the proposed plan submitted to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Florida would implement a 39-day Atlantic Red Snapper season, a dramatic increase from the federal two-day season currently scheduled for 2025. The proposed schedule includes a summer season running from May 22 through June 20, coinciding with Memorial Day Weekend, and a series of three-day fall weekends in October from Oct. 2–4, 9–11, and 16–18.

The application mirrors the model successfully applied in the Gulf of Mexico, where state management transformed the recreational Red Snapper season from three days to 127 days, a more than 4100% increase. The expanded Gulf season has benefited recreational anglers and for-hire operators alike, boosting local economies, supporting businesses such as tackle and bait shops, and encouraging tourism along Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Florida is widely recognized as a national leader in recreational fishing and boating, with over 4 million licensed anglers, 922,000 registered boats, and a $31.3 billion recreational boating industry that supports more than 100,000 jobs statewide. State management of Atlantic Red Snapper is expected to stimulate similar economic growth along the East Coast, benefiting coastal communities from Fernandina Beach to Miami.

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Governor DeSantis also highlighted the ongoing Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday, which suspends sales tax on retail purchases of hunting, fishing, and camping gear. This initiative complements the proposed expansion of the Red Snapper season by making equipment more accessible to Floridians and visitors alike.

To participate in recreational red snapper fishing from private vessels in either state or federal waters, anglers must register as a State Reef Fish Angler, even if they are otherwise exempt from license requirements. Registration is available online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, and additional details about fishing regulations can be found at MyFWC.com/Marine.

If approved, Florida’s state-managed Atlantic Red Snapper season represents a major shift in fisheries governance, returning authority to local management and offering a substantial increase in opportunities for recreational anglers while bolstering economic activity in coastal communities.