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NOAA Fisheries Update: Effective Immediately, No Recreational Red Snapper Fishing is Authorized Under the South Atlantic Exempted Fishing Permits - South Atlantic Red Snapper Fishing in Federal Waters Remains Closed. More information HERE.A descending device is required on board all vessels fishing for or possessing snapper and grouper species in federal waters of the South Atlantic. The descending device must be readily available for use and attached to at least 16 ounces of weight and at least 60 feet of line. Learn how to help more released fish survive and share what you're seeing on the water by visiting the Best Fishing Practices and SAFMC Release webpages.Federally Permitted Charter/Headboats:If a federally permitted vessel fishing in federal waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in federal waters, the vessel is not allowed to retain that fish.If a federally permitted vessel fishing in state waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in federal waters but open in state waters, the vessel is not allowed to retain that species.If a federally permitted vessel fishing in federal waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in state waters but open to harvest in federal waters, they may retain that fish if they do not stop to fish in state waters when returning to port. All gear must be stowed.Federally Permitted Charter/Headboats must have the following on board:The 2019 version of the NMFS document titled "Careful Release Protocols for Sea Turtle Release with Minimal Injury" (document may be electronic).NMFS sea turtle handling and release guidelines placardRequired release and handling gearsSee Snapper Grouper Sea Turtle and Smalltooth Sawfish Release Gear Requirements for more information.For more information on management of South Atlantic federal fisheries, please visit SAFMC or NOAA Fisheries.For commercial regulations, download Fish Rules Commercial App for iOS devices or Android devices.

Effective May 2nd 2022, the recreational vessel limit for dolphin is 54 fish (excluding headboats). The 10 dolphin per person per day recreational bag limit will remain unchanged for all recreational vessels (private, charter vessels, and headboats). See Fishery Bulletin Must be landed with head and fins intact.Minimum size limit only applies in waters off Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.If you are bringing fish back to the U.S. from the Bahamas by water, please see Bringing fish back from the Bahamas.----------Federally Permitted Charter/Headboats: -If a federally permitted vessel fishing in federal waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in federal waters, the vessel is not allowed to retain that fish. -If a federally permitted vessel fishing in state waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in federal waters but open in state waters, the vessel is not allowed to retain that species. -If a federally permitted vessel fishing in federal waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in state waters but open to harvest in federal waters, they may retain that fish if they do not stop to fish in state waters when returning to port. All gear must be stowed.For more information on management of South Atlantic federal fisheries, please visit SAFMC or NOAA Fisheries.