February 13, 2026 — NOAA Fisheries has opened a 25-day public comment period on four new state-led pilots for managing recreational red snapper, reigniting debate over how abundant the stock is in the South Atlantic.
“As an avid fisherman, I understand the adventure and thrill of the catch,” NOAA Fisheries Assistant Administrator Eugenio Piñeiro Soler said in a release. “The EFPs [Exempted Fishing Permits] propose to open up more opportunities for our recreational fishermen, while supporting sustainable red snapper population levels. NOAA Fisheries is committed to improving our partnerships and collecting better recreational data to bolster science-based fisheries management.”