South Atlantic Federal Regulations

(For areas three-200 miles off the coasts of NC, SC, GA, and East Florida)

Note!:  An interim rule to close the red snapper fishery for both commercial and recreational fishermen has been approved in order to help end overfishing of red snapper.  The red snapper fishery will close effective January 4, 2010. See the NOAA Fisheries Fishery Bulletin dated December 4, 2009 and Federal Register Notice for details.

Commercial:

Limited access permit required.

• 20" TL size limit.
• Gear restrictions apply.

Recreational:

• 20" TL size limit.
• Included in the 10 snapper per person retention limit, with a maximum of 2 red snapper per person. See updated Recreational Regulations Summary (pdf) on the Regulations by Species Announcements section.
• Must be landed with head and fins intact.
• Gear restrictions apply.