Red snapper recreational bag limits dropped from four fish to two fish per person, as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) agreed to conform with new federal regulations on Tuesday. A zero daily bag limit of red snapper for captains and crew of for-hire vessels is also now in place for Florida Gulf waters. New commercial regulations in state waters include a minimum-size reduction for red snapper from 15 to 13 inches

“Today’s action will help to improve Gulf red snapper populations while maintaining the sportfishing season that benefits several North Florida fishing communities,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto.

The FWC also approved new rules that require all commercial and recreational anglers fishing for any Gulf reef fish species to use circle hooks, dehooking devices and venting tools. Non-stainless steel circle hooks must be used to catch any Gulf reef fish with natural bait. The dehooking device should be “constructed to allow the hook to be secured and the barb shielded without re-engaging during the removal process.” Venting tools are to be “a sharpened, hollow instrument—such as a hypodermic syringe with the plunger removed or a 16-gauge needle fixed to a hollow wooden dowel.” Knives and ice picks may not be used.

Several companies offer dehooking devices and venting tools such as ARC dehooker www.dehooker4arc.com. Be sure the design of your tool of choice conforms to state and federal guidelines.

FWC’s new red snapper rules take effect on April 1 in time for the April 15 through Oct. 31 Gulf recreational red snapper harvest season in state waters. The rules requiring circle hooks, dehooking devices and venting tools for all reef fish species take effect on June 1. Note, too, that June 1 is now the official opening day for recreational red snapper in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico, beyond nine miles from shore. Only state waters will open April 15.