Recreational Season
The federal recreational season for Gulf of Mexico red snapper begins 1 June, 2013, with a two fish bag limit. During development of this final rule, NOAA Fisheries re-calculated the projected 2013 red snapper recreational season lengths off each Gulf state using updated recreational landings data as well as new information from Louisiana and Texas. The method for calculating the dates for the federal season for each state are available online at
http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_fisheries/red_snapper/documents/pdfs/2013_red_snapper_emergency_regs.pdf.
2013 Season Lengths
Mississippi and Alabama: In federal and state waters off Mississippi and Alabama due to consistent regulations, the season will be 34 days and close on July 5, 2013, at 12:01 a.m., local time.
Texas: In federal waters off Texas due to inconsistent regulations, the season will be 17 days, and close on June 18, 2013, at 12:01 a.m., local time. Texas state waters are open all year for recreational red snapper fishing with a four-fish bag limit.
Louisiana: In federal waters off Louisiana due to inconsistent regulations, the season will be 24 days, and close on June 25, 2013, at 12:01 a.m., local time. Louisiana state waters are open weekends only (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), March 23 - September 30, 2013, with a three-fish bag limit.
Florida: In federal waters off Florida due to inconsistent regulations, the season will be 26 days and close on June 27, 2013, at 12:01 a.m., local time. Florida state waters are open June 1 - July 14, 2013, with a two-fish bag limit.
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will review the 2013 red snapper population assessment during their June meeting in Pensacola, FL. The council may request an emergency rule to increase the quota again based on the new scientific information and request NOAA Fisheries to reopen the recreational season for red snapper later in the year.
