Overview
- A U.S. district judge granted a preliminary injunction that froze the Exempted Fishing Permits for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, stopping the planned expanded recreational red snapper season in South Atlantic federal waters.
- NOAA Fisheries said the ruling means "all recreational fishing under these South Atlantic EFPs is not authorized," and it will later announce the commercial season and whether there will be any federal recreational season for 2026.
- Florida officials rescinded an executive order that would have extended the Atlantic season and reverted to the default state rules of two red snapper per person with a 20-inch size limit while the agency said it will reissue expanded rules if the EFPs are restored.
- Gov. Ron DeSantis called the decision "disrespectful," said the state will appeal, and encouraged anglers to fish in state waters where the federal injunction does not apply.
- The legal challenge was brought by commercial fishing interests and supported by conservation groups who argue the EFPs could violate fisheries law and risk exceeding strict recreational catch limits that were set when the stock was depleted.