April 19, 2021 — The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, known as the “Gulf Council,” is promising a similar red snapper season to last year’s. As always, the catch will be limited.
The season for commercial anglers or charter boats has been set for June 1 through August 3. Private anglers will find out exact dates for a season early next week.
Ever since Alabama was given the authority to manage and set limits in its own waters three years ago, the promise has been to ensure private anglers have access to what is known to be an abundant resource of red snapper.
“For the 2021 season, we are going to fish to about the level that we have fished for about the last two years. Around a million pounds,” said Scott Bannon, Director of Alabama’s Marine Resource Division. Bannon says unfortunately how much you can bring home isn’t going to change from last year. Even as studies show there could be three times as many red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico now compared to previous estimates.