Decision expected Monday
September 25, 2017 — Anglers will learn Monday whether there will be an open season for red snapper off the Atlantic Coast next month, which would be one of the few opportunities to harvest the highly-sought fish since strict protections went into effect in 2010.
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, which sets fishing regulations in federal waters off the Southeast coast, will consider several options during its meeting in Charleston, S.C., that would open red snapper Oct. 6 and last anywhere from seven to 23 days spread over three-day weekends.
The possibility of a 2017 season surprised many when it was first revealed last month and was part of a major shift in the debate over the health of the red snapper population.
Red snapper have been protected by strict regulations since 2010, a result of the federal government finding the species to be overfished to dangerously low numbers.