May 18, 2026 — Ocean Conservancy and Earthjustice have filed an amicus brief in federal court opposing a recent decision to allow expanded recreational harvest of South Atlantic red snapper, raising concerns that the move could lead to overfishing and conflict with federal law.
The brief was filed in Southeastern Fisheries Association v. Lutnick in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. At issue are exempted fishing permits approved May 1 for Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The permits significantly extend recreational red snapper seasons in the South Atlantic, a change that conservation groups argue could exceed established harvest limits.
According to Ocean Conservancy, the current annual catch limit for the recreational sector is 22,797 fish. The group cited recent landings data showing that a two-day season in Florida alone resulted in 24,885 fish landed—already surpassing that limit. Using that rate, and projecting across a longer season, Ocean Conservancy estimates total landings could reach as high as 485,000 fish over a 39-day period.