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Governor announces Florida to manage Atlantic red snapper, sets 39-day 2026 season
Summary
The governor said NOAA approved Florida's exempted fishing permit, enabling state management of Atlantic red snapper and a two-phase 39-day recreational season in 2026; FWC called the move "historic," and state leaders said it will boost coastal businesses while expanding data collection.
The governor announced that NOAA has approved Florida's exempted fishing permit (EFP), allowing the state to assume management of Atlantic red snapper and implement a 39-day recreational season beginning in 2026, the governor said at a press conference.
"NOAA has officially approved Florida's exempted fishing permit allowing Florida to lead the way on Atlantic red snapper management beginning this year in 2026," the governor said, outlining a two-phase schedule with a summer season starting May 22 (Memorial Day weekend) running through June and a fall season made up of three-day weekends in October.
The announcement follows what the governor described as multi-year state success managing Gulf red snapper, where Florida has expanded seasons to 120 days and, he said, seen fish populations recover. The governor framed the delegation as correcting allegedly flawed federal data and expanding recreational access after recent years of very limited Atlantic days under federal control.
Roger Young, FWC executive director, endorsed the plan and described the development as "historic," saying the 39-day season would allow families and for-hire operators time to plan safe trips rather than rely on limited one- or two-day windows. "This is all about fighting federal government overreach from the prior administration," Young said, adding that the state has the fisheries-management capacity to run a manageable season.
State officials tied the decision to local economic benefits. The governor cited the broader fishing economy as "over $31 billion annually," with more than 7,000 marine businesses and "over 100,000 jobs," and said expanded Atlantic days should drive spending at tackle and bait shops, hotels and restaurants along the coast.
Officials also said state data collection will be strengthened to support sustainable management. The governor said Florida will pair the expanded season with its state reef fish survey to improve accuracy and continued responsible stewardship.
The governor thanked the federal Commerce Secretary Lettnick and the current administration for approving the EFP and said the decision reverses a trend of limited federal days in the Atlantic. He characterized the announcement as a first step and predicted the Atlantic season would expand over coming years to mirror Gulf opportunities. He said Gulf red snapper dates would be announced at a later event.
The FWC official and the governor emphasized the plan's immediate effect on recreational anglers and coastal businesses; no formal vote or regulatory text was presented at the event, and officials said implementation details and enforcement procedures would follow as the state finalizes the management plan.
