August 27, 2012 — NOAA Fisheries approved Monday an emergency action that temporarily opens recreational and commercial red snapper fishing. The temporary opening applies to red snapper fishing in the South Atlantic region.
This area includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida's east coast, according to a news release from NOAA.
The recreational season will be open for two consecutive weekends of Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The season will last from Sept. 12-14 and Sept. 21-23.
At that time, anglers may keep one fish per person per day with no size limit. The recreational catch limit for 2012 is 9,399 fish, the release said.
Commercial fishermen will have their chance to catch red snapper for seven days. The season opens September 17 and lasts until the 23.
The daily trip limit during the commercial season is 50 pounds, gutted weight. There is no size limit. The commercial catch limit for 2012 is 20,818 pounds.