Governor Ron DeSantis announced in Nassau County that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has submitted an exempted fishing permit (EFP) to the U.S. Secretary of Commerce seeking state management of the recreational Atlantic red snapper fishery beginning in 2026.

"FWC staff has submitted what's called an exempted fishing permit, EFP, to The US secretary of commerce to allow state management of the recreational red snapper season fishery in federal waters beginning in 2026," DeSantis said, framing the proposal as a way to expand angling access and help coastal economies.

Roger Young, executive director of the FWC, said the proposal would establish a record 39-day recreational season in Atlantic waters and argued state science provides faster, sharper data than current federal surveys. "We are thrilled to submit this bold proposal for a record 39 day recreational season in Florida's Atlantic waters," Young said, and called the plan "a huge win for our anglers and our communities."

DeSantis said the proposal would use a two-phase schedule: a summer season beginning May 22 to include Memorial Day weekend, followed by a fall series of three-day weekends in October. The governor and event speakers said the plan mirrors earlier state management in the Gulf of Mexico, where the state has lengthened recreational Gulf red snapper seasons.

Local charter captains who spoke at the event praised state-led management and criticized federal assessment methods. "The assessment model they use needs to be really done away with," Captain Robert Johnson said, arguing that the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) and other federal estimates underestimate the fishery. Capt. Dennis Young of SeedAnchor Charters described decades of catch data and ongoing boat-based research with FWC that he said supports expanded seasons: "Our fishery is in good shape, guys."

Speakers framed the change as an economic as well as recreational issue. DeSantis cited state figures — including $31.3 billion in recreational boating expenditures, about 922,000 boat registrations in 2023 and 4 million licensed anglers — to underscore potential local benefits for bait shops, charter operators and related businesses.

The submission does not itself change regulations: the EFP must be reviewed by the Department of Commerce. DeSantis said he had discussed the proposal with federal officials and called the response "receptive," but provided no firm timetable beyond the stated start of state management in 2026. The event closed without any formal vote; the proposal's implementation depends on federal approval and any required regulatory steps by the Commerce Department and related agencies.