NOAA Fisheries Opens Red Snapper Harvesting
By Capt. Joe Palermo // September 19, 2012
OFF SHORE FISHING
BREVARD COUNTY • PORT CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – Throughout the past two years, Central Florida anglers have closely monitored the regulatory environment as the heavy hand of the government unnecessarily issued closers on many species throughout the Atlantic Coastal Waters.
Among the most controversial, Red Snapper was closed on Jan. 4, 2010 indefinitely.
SEE RELATED STORY: Central Florida’s Fishing Industry In Distress
Since then, Anglers have anxiously waited for officials to decide on an opening date.Just recently, NOAA Fisheries announced that it has approved an emergency action to temporarily open both recreational and commercial red snapper harvesting throughout the South Atlantic region extending from the federal waters of North Carolina to Florida.
The decision includes open season for two consecutive weekends including Fridays from Sept. 14th through the 16th and Sept. 21st through the 23rd for recreational anglers. The commercial season will open for seven days, from Sept. 17 through the 23rd.
Throughout the recreational season, anglers will be limited to one fish per person, per day, with no size limit. Commercial vessels will be limited to 50 pounds of gutted weight, per day, with no size limit.
Although this temporary opening has anglers excited for the few days, it will still be a very controversial issue for anglers pushing forward as the counsel continues to fight our fishing rights.
