Turning Advocacy into Access
Momentum continues to build around some of America's most important recreational fisheries issues, and in many ways, red snapper is the clearest example of why reform matters.
For years, recreational anglers have faced more constricted federal seasons measured in days rather than months, despite strong stock health and growing frustration over outdated management systems and recreational data shortcomings. That conversation is changing.
The last few weeks brought several significant developments tied to state-led management, expanded recreational access and modernized fisheries policy. Last week during our annual Center Focus on Washington fly-in and NMMA's American Boating Congress, leaders from across the recreational fishing and boating community met with Congressional offices, Administration officials and agency leadership to continue advancing priorities centered on access, conservation and improved management systems.
Red snapper management is squarely in the national spotlight. President Trump announced in a Truth Social post that the South Atlantic states' Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) for the 2026 recreational red snapper season had been approved — marking the first time a President has announced a major recreational fishing victory of this kind. The approval represents a major step forward for state-led management, better data and expanded access.
That momentum continued this week as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a 39-day Atlantic red snapper season and a 140-day Gulf red snapper season, with additional season announcements taking shape across other South Atlantic and Gulf states. Together, these developments signal growing recognition that states should play a larger role in managing federal-waters recreational fisheries and expanding access opportunities for anglers.
Those announcements reflect years of engagement by recreational fishing advocates and industry stakeholders pushing for management systems that better reflect conditions on the water and the needs of America's saltwater anglers. While red snapper remains one of the most visible examples of past frustrations with bureaucratic federal fisheries management, recent progress also signals a broader shift toward incorporating better science, modern data collection and greater state involvement in recreational fisheries management.
At the same time, additional policy conversations continue moving forward in Washington, including NOAA's Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) on the 2008 Vessel Speed Restriction Rule. Recreational boating and fishing stakeholders continue encouraging a modern, technology-driven approach to whale protection that incorporates updated science while preserving safe and reasonable public access to America's waterways.