“Emergency” Red Snapper Closure Postponed Amid Many Protests

A so-called emergency closure of red snapper fishing in the Atlantic was postponed Sept. 17 as a host of fishermen protested that red snapper populations haven't been this large in a quarter-century.

But at their meeting this week in Charleston, South Carolina, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council indicated that the closure plan will come up again in December. Thus, anglers opposed to the closure should continue to object to what they consider to be extremely flawed scientific findings in the stock assessment of red snapper, the underpinning of the proposed closure. The closure was slated to be effective Jan. 1 but now will be subject to additional discussions.

To follow the latest developments on the snapper front and get involved in the action, visit the conservation section of the Florida Sportsman Forum.