Gulf Red Snapper Season
October 1 begins the first day of a 14-day supplemental red snapper season in Gulf of Mexico federal waters. NOAA Fisheries announced the rule after increasing the total allowable catch for red snapper from 8.46 million pounds (mp) to 11 mp.
Federal waters of the Gulf open for red snapper fishermen beginning on October 1 (after midnight) and close on October 15, 2013, at 12:01 a.m. Daily bag limits during the season remain at two fish, minimum 16 inches, per angler per day.
For recreational anglers, an increase of 1.25 mp (from 4.14 to 5.39 mp) allowed the extra season to happen. Commercial shareholders saw an increase from 4.31 to 5.61 million pounds.
Anglers fishing inside Florida state waters (up to 9 miles offshore) can fish three weeks into October. The state’s own additional red snapper season runs from October 1 to 21.
Read more about the unending red snapper saga in the Gulf of Mexico.
