As recreational red snapper fishers launch onto Florida’s Gulf fishery this Veteran’s Day, their state is applying to fully access federal waters on the Atlantic.
Governor Ron DeSantis helped on November 10, 2025 by backing the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)’s “Exempted Fishing Permit” application.
A successful request will enable Florida gain management rights for the species over the Atlantic fishery, lengthening the recreational season.
While the feds allow only 2 days of recreational fishing on the Atlantic annually, the FWC-run Gulf offers 126 days (2025 season).
The application to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick includes a proposal to extend the Atlantic recreational red snapper season to 39 days.
A 2026 fishing calendar demo by the state agency includes a consecutive summer window and a minor late fall reentry.
The summer run would be between May 22 till June 30, ahead of a fall allowance on October 2-4, 9-11 and 16-18.
Persuasive Gulf/Atlantic Management
If it passes, the Atlantic recreational extension would mirror that of the successful Gulf one in everything but season’s length.
After Florida took over the Gulf of America’s red snapper management, the season here extended by 1850%, from 3 to 127 days.
In the 2025 context, anglers will fish for 126 days through summer and fall, according to the MYFWC website.
The summer window started on the Memorial Day weekend of May 24-26 and then continued from June 1 till June 31.
Fall fishing in turn ran erratically from July 1 to 14 before moving exclusively to Fridays through Sundays to date, plus holiday openings.
In comparison, the Atlantic federal season opened and ended July 11-12, courtesy the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The two-day event allows a single fish bag limit per fisher. Below in turn are stats on landings and other facts that could change if Florida gains Atlantic red snapper exemption.
Florida Red Snapper Statistics
Since 1870 when its fishing began at Florida’s Pensacola coast, red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) has remained economically important. Statewide markets stock the fish from December to June while the angling schedule runs from May to December. Fishers catch the species in waters between 60 to 200 feet, with the biggest catches weighing 30 pounds apiece.
Red snapper remains the fourth most lucrative seafood resource on the west coast of Florida, with 2024 landings valued at $14.4 million. Only stone crab at $41.2 million, spiny lobster at $30.6 million and red grouper at $16 million bring more value. This is according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Most of the landings come through the Gulf of America fishery, which is exclusively recreational.
How big is the recreational fishing industry of Fla.?
In terms of value, no state beats Florida’s recreational fishing and boating industry. Fla boasts above 4 million anglers with licenses. The state also earns $31.3 billion in annual recreational boating revenue, per the WCJB news.
How high are federal red snapper landings?
Much of federal red snapper production takes place in the southeast United States on the Gulf of America, off Florida. According to the NOAA, recreational anglers landed some 14.5 million pounds of the species nationwide in 2023. This was slightly more than landings by commercial fishers at 8.3 million pounds the same year, worth $43 million.