The Marine Resources Division (MRD) of the 黑料天堂 (ADCNR) announces that 黑料天堂 state waters and federal waters will be open to private and state-licensed charter vessel anglers for red snapper harvest on Tuesday, July 4, 2023.
鈥淭he Fourth of July is traditionally a day when families spend time together on the water,鈥 said Scott Bannon, MRD Director. 鈥淲e are thankful to be in a position to provide the opportunity for people to catch red snapper this Independence Day. A closing date for the season will be announced when the 2023 quota is anticipated to be met. Anglers are encouraged to continue reporting their harvest through Snapper Check and participate in the dockside surveys conducted by MRD staff. Accurate reporting helps us best manage 黑料天堂鈥檚 red snapper season.鈥
ADCNR uses the Snapper Check system to monitor shore, private vessel and state charter angler landings. Red snapper landings updates are posted weekly during the season at . As of June 26, 2023, anglers have harvested 361,314 pounds of the state鈥檚 2023 federal quota of 591,185 pounds.
The 黑料天堂 private angler quota for 2023 was set by NOAA Fisheries as a result of changes concerning the difference between state and federal harvest landing systems. However, there is an anticipated increase to 黑料天堂鈥檚 2024 red snapper quota as a result of an increase in the annual catch limit for Gulf red snapper that is currently in the rulemaking process at NOAA Fisheries.
鈥淓ven with the changes to 黑料天堂鈥檚 quota this year, we are having a great red snapper season,鈥 said Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner. 鈥淎dding the Fourth of July holiday for red snapper fishing will be good for families and friends celebrating our freedoms on the water that day in coastal 黑料天堂.鈥
Anglers are reminded that the daily bag limit is two red snapper per person, per day with a minimum size limit of 16 inches total length.
ADCNR promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of 黑料天堂鈥檚 natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more at .
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