Saving Seafood

States could net control of red snapper season

February 17, 2026 — The Trump administration is taking steps toward shifting regulatory authority over red snapper in Atlantic Ocean federal waters to states, a move that some state leaders have argued is necessary to sustain their sportfishing economies.

NOAA Fisheries announced Wednesday it would open a 25-day comment period on “exempted fishing permits” for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

The permits would allow the states to “test new data collection methods and strategies for state-led management of the recreational red snapper fishery,” the agency said.

Read the full article at E&E News

Debate grows over NOAA plan to expand snapper access

February 13, 2026 — Today, NOAA Fisheries announced that they are accepting public comments on applications for Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

These permits propose to extend recreational fishing seasons for vulnerable red snapper in the South Atlantic. Overfishing drove the red snapper population to just 11 percent of its historical abundance; in response, seasons were reduced as part of a rebuilding plan set to last through 2044.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

NOAA leaps forward on collaborative approach for red snapper

February 11, 2026 — NOAA Fisheries announced today a major collaborative step toward boosting red snapper recreational fishing opportunities in the South Atlantic. The agency invites public comments on applications for Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. The EFPs are designed to test new data collection methods and strategies for state-led management of the recreational red snapper fishery.

This 25-day public comment period marks an important step in NOAA’s review and consideration of management strategies for the recreational harvest of red snapper, which will balance sustainability and economic benefits. These actions are also expected to increase opportunities for American recreational fishermen.

Read the full article at NOAA 

SOUTH CAROLINA: South Carolina DNR proposes longer Red Snapper season, moving data regulation to state level

November 17, 2025 — After years of concerns, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources is asking for a change in the red snapper season that it says would benefit both fishermen and the economy.

Fishermen in South Carolina are currently only allowed to go after red snappers for two days in July. Local marine wildlife officials said those limitations are based on unreliable data.

“As our application notes, Marine Recreational Information Program catch estimates of red snapper regularly carry standard errors exceeding 50%, making them unreliable and not suitable for use and management,” DNR chief Tom Mullikin said.

The DNR proposal, in partnership with state Sen. Stephen Goldfinch of Murrells Inlet, the South Carolina Boating and Fishing Alliance and the Coastal Conservation Association South Carolina, would not put data collection in the hands of the state and extend the season to 61 or 62 days.

Read the full article at WBTM

SOUTH CAROLINA: Pair of North Atlantic right whales spotted off Hilton Head

November 11, 2025 –Two North Atlantic right whales, one of the most endangered species of large whale, made an appearance off the coast.

On Nov. 5, WhaleMap reported a definite sighting of two right whales in South Carolina waters, part of the species’ calving area. This calving area is one of the two critical habitats for North Atlantic right whales, designated by NOAA Fisheries.

Right whales once boasted a population of as many as 21,000 in the North Atlantic, according to Oceana. Now, they number roughly 384 as of 2024, per an annual estimate from the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium.

“While it’s experienced a very, very slight increase over recent years, they’re still in such peril that even a single human-caused death of a North Atlantic right whale threatens the recovery of the species and its chance at avoiding extinction,” said Michelle Bivins, field representative for Oceana in the Carolinas.

Read the full article at The Post and Courier

Judge dismisses lawsuit claiming South Carolina restaurants sold imported shrimp under false claims it was local

November 5, 2025 — A federal judge has dismissed the lawsuit brought by the South Carolina Shrimpers Association, which alleged that local restaurants had violated federal and state law in selling imported shrimp.

“We are incredibly disappointed that a judge dismissed our ‘Shrimpgate’ lawsuit, denying us the chance to present the undisputed DNA evidence of shrimp fraud in the Lowcountry,” the association said in a statement. “This ruling hurts shrimpers, consumers, and the many honest restaurants that work hard to serve you real local shrimp. Once again, it feels like big money is winning over the truth.”

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Southern states ask US government to hand over control of red snapper management

October 29, 2025 — Officials from three Southern states are again asking the U.S. federal government to cede its regulatory authority over red snapper fishing in the South Atlantic Ocean to state governments, arguing that more local control of the species will be better for the fisheries.

While the South Atlantic red snapper fishery is federally designated as subject to overfishing, recreational fishers claim the fish population is far greater than official numbers, and state representatives and officials have resisted all efforts to limit fishing.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Scott, Whitehouse Introduce Bipartisan QUAHOGS Act to Investigate Declining Shellfish Populations

September 19, 2025 — The following was released by Senator Tim Scott:

U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) introduced bipartisan legislation to study why quahogs – also known as hard shell clams – and other native shellfish populations are in decline along the east coast of the United States. The Quantifying Uncertainty and Action to Help Optimize Growth of Shellfish (QUAHOGS) Act would create a research task force comprised of federal agency representatives, fishery management councils, state agency representatives, industry leaders, scientists, and other stakeholders to better understand what is fueling the shellfish population decreases.

“South Carolina’s shellfish industry depends on healthy bivalve populations, and this task force will support the research needed to develop science-based solutions that protect both our natural resources and the livelihoods they sustain,” said Senator Scott. “From commercial fishermen to restaurant workers and the tourism industry, this directly affects the families and communities that depend on them. I’m pleased to co-sponsor this bill to study the declining bivalve populations and develop informed solutions to safeguard our state’s coastal economy and heritage.”

“Quahogging in Narragansett Bay is a quintessential Rhode Island trade whose harvest brings us the Ocean State summer staples of clear chowder and stuffies. Unfortunately, quahog and other shellfish landings are in steady decline across the Eastern Seaboard, and it’s been difficult for shell fisherman and researchers to pinpoint exactly why,” said Senator Whitehouse, co-founder of the Senate Oceans Caucus. “My bipartisan bill with Senator Scott would assemble a federal research task force to investigate why certain shellfish populations are declining and help protect a pillar of Rhode Island’s Blue Economy.”

East coast shellfish populations and commercial shellfish landings have mysteriously declined for years. There have also been notable declines in oyster, scallop, and soft-shell clam populations up and down the east coast. Shellfishermen and scientists have speculated that ocean acidification, nitrogen reductions, seagrass meadow decline, and plunging phytoplankton production have all contributed to the declining bivalve populations. Without a well-founded explanation, states and industry have struggled to develop action plans to recover these important shellfish.

The East Coast Bivalve Research Task Force would be composed of between 16 and 21 members, with the Secretary of Commerce appointing a chair from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Agriculture, and the New England, Mid-Atlantic, South Atlantic, and Atlantic States Fishery Management Councils. The secretary would also appoint representatives from state fish and wildlife management agencies, bivalve fishing industry representatives, academic experts, and at least one Tribal representative. The Task Force’s resulting research report would synthesize the current knowledge on bivalve decline, forecast future research, and highlight the financial and regulatory barriers hurting shellfish aquaculture.

“Hard clams used to be one of the top fisheries in Southern New England, and the decline in population has been drastic in several states.  It was only a few decades ago that Rhode Island exported millions of dollars of clams to Europe,” said Bob Rheault, Executive Director of the East Coast Shellfish Growers Association. “In order to rectify the decline it is of paramount importance to determine the cause so we can take appropriate steps to recover the population and this important fishery.  The QUAHOGS Act will allow scientists to properly study the situation so resource managers know what to do to try and fix it.”

“As a shellfish farmer and business owner in South Carolina, I am in full support of the Quantifying Uncertainty and Action to Help Optimize Growth of Shellfish Act.  It is critical to our sustainability to collect research on various seed to further lessen the risk of mortality events,” said Trey McMillan, Vice President of the South Carolina Shellfish Growers Association.

“The QUAHOGS Act supports the science needed to keep East Coast shellfisheries strong in the face of changing ocean conditions – an essential step in protecting our ecosystems, economy and cultural heritage,” said Matt Griffin, Rhode Island Representative of the East Coast Shellfish Growers Association.

The text of the bill is available here.

US House passes military funding bill eliminating Buy American exceptions for seafood

September 15, 2025 — A last-minute amendment to the U.S. House version of the annual defense funding legislation would eliminate any exceptions for seafood from the government’s usual “Buy American” provisions.

Under the Berry Amendment, the federal government is required to purchase American-made products, although exceptions can be made for select products and those for which the government determines a U.S. produced good is unavailable. However, a provision added by U.S. Representative Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina) would ensure exceptions cannot be issued for seafood, fish, or shellfish purchases.

Read the full article at SeafoodSource

Where Steel and Concrete Meets Sea: Artificial Reefs Along the Atlantic Coast

August 14, 2025 — Beneath the Atlantic surface, concrete pyramids, stripped subway cars, and massive steel skeletons of vessels lie purposefully placed across the ocean floor repurposed into bustling undersea metropolises. These are artificial reefs, human-made sanctuaries giving new life to marine ecosystems and new opportunities for anglers.

Nearly all of these reef structures have roots in the Sport Fish Restoration Act, paid by manufacturers of fishing tackle and a tax on motorboat fuel. State agencies utilize these Sport Fish Restoration federal excise tax funds and funds from state fishing license sales to create a network of artificial reefs that dot the Atlantic coast.

New Jersey: Reefs from Rust and Rubble

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) began their artificial reef program in 1984 and has since created 17 artificial reef sites. Creating the reefs takes science, ingenuity, and often recycled materials. Artificial reef building materials have ranged from concrete reef balls to decommissioned New York City subway cars, and even retired Army tanks. Before entering the water, artificial reef materials go through a rigorous process stripping the material down to ensure no impact to water quality. Recycled building materials are inspected. Old Army tanks are stripped of fuel and oils. Subway cars lose their windows and wiring. What’s left is bare concrete or metal that is durable and colonizable by marine life.

Once these reef materials are deployed to the ocean bottom, Mother Nature wastes no time. Drop reef material, and within weeks, algae take hold. Months pass, invertebrates and fish begin to settle in. Within a year or two, the reef is real in every biological sense. “New Jersey’s reef sites are a hot spot for anglers with sportfish species like sea bass, porgy, tautog, and summer flounder calling the sites home,” said Pete Clarke from the NJDEP’s Artificial Reef Program.

New Jersey’s reefs are strategically located along the coast so that sites are within easy boat range of New Jersey ocean inlets making the sites accessible to anglers. Some reefs lay within two miles of the coast while others are 23 miles offshore offering users a variety of trip lengths and sport fish species to encounter. Reef communities can also vary depending on the season. “These reefs are important waypoints for migrating sport fish along the Atlantic Coast,” adds Clarke. Along this waypoint network of artificial reefs, it is common for state agencies to collaborate with other state agencies to share information or access to large reef building materials. “I know that an old New York City subway car utilized for a reef in South Carolina or concrete reef balls deployed in Delaware benefits the entire network of artificial reefs, ultimately it helps New Jersey’s reefs and anglers.”

Read the full article at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife