November 2, 2017 — Recreational anglers returning with catches of red snapper during this month’s back-to-back mini seasons will be greeted by researchers with clipboards and questions at the docks and ramps.
For the sake of some sound and reliable red snapper data, fishermen are urged to participate in the surveys and sample studies by representatives from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The data seekers, including law enforcement personnel and volunteers, will be working at Port Canaveral and in the Sebastian Inlet vicinity, plus seven other Atlantic Coast sites among them Fort Pierce and St. Lucie inlets and Ponce Inlet at New Smyrna Beach.
The dates for the two mini seasons are this weekend, Nov. 3-5, and Nov. 10-12.
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council announced the special seasons on Oct. 27 after it received approval from National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration officials.
A limited commercial season from Nov. 2 through Dec. 31 also was approved but it may not run to duration because of a commercial catch quota.