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NOAA Fisheries Bulletin FB20-061 announces the final rule for Regulatory Amendment 33 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region (Regulatory Amendment 33). This final rule allows the South Atlantic red snapper fishing season to be less than four days.

Regulation will be effective Nov. 13, 2020.

The final rule removes the minimum season length requirement and red snapper harvest could be open for either commercial or recreational harvest for three days or less. The removal of this requirement improves access to the red snapper resource.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council requested removal of the minimum season length requirement to improve access to red snapper.

Currently, there is a requirement that if NOAA Fisheries projects the commercial or recreational catch limit will be met in three days or less, the commercial and/or recreational seasons will not open for that fishing year.

This rule removes the minimal season length requirement and red snapper harvest could be open for either commercial or recreational harvest for three days or less.

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