Oct. 1-Oct 14. Gulf Red Snapper Season Announced

From Southeast Fishery Bulletin, Sept. 13, 2013

NOAA Fisheries announces a rule increasing the allowable catch for red snapper from 8.46 million pounds (mp) to 11 mp. The recreational quota will increase from 4.145 mp to 5.39 mp and the commercial quota will increase from 4.315 mp to 5.61 mp.

Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico will open for red snapper recreational fishing beginning on October 1, 2013, at 12:01 a.m. (one minute after midnight), local time. The season will close on October 15, 2013, at 12:01 a.m., local time.

The increase in commercial quota will be distributed to individual fishing quota shareholders on or shortly after October 1.

For more information on catch estimates and NOAA Fisheries' determinations for the fall red snapper recreational season, please review the Frequently Asked Questions on the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Web site.