Red snapper season should be extended and fall under state control

South Atlantic states should have more control over the length of the recreational red snapper fishing season, according to U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody.

Moody and several other Senators are mounting an effort to extend the red snapper season in Atlantic waters. In 2025, the red snapper season lasted only two days under federal regulations.

Moody is heading up a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce detailing Florida’s application to extend the season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has asked for public input on proposed Exempted Fishing Permits (EFP).

“Under the federally regulated system, the red snapper season in the Atlantic can be as short as two days, putting anglers, small businesses, and coastal communities that rely on fishing at a disadvantage,” Moody said in a news release.

“That’s why I, alongside my colleagues in the U.S. Senate, am supporting Florida’s request to manage our own red snapper season through state-led exempted fishing permits.”

The letter is supporting EFP requests for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. The proposals, if approved, would allow red snapper recreational harvest seasons to be extended, ranging from 39 to 62 days this year.

Gov. Ron DeSantis filed a formal EFP in November to extend Florida’s season to 39 days. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission would oversee the season.

The letter signed by Moody is addressed to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. NOAA is part of the Department of Commerce.

Co-signing the correspondence are U.S. Sens. Rick Scott, Ted Budd of North Carolina and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.

“The states’ request to extend the season from 39 to 62 days would further advance red snapper science and conservation while providing much needed access to this fishery,” the letter states. “Collectively, recreational fishing across these states produces an annual economic impact of $27.1 billion while supporting more than 170,000 jobs.”