News

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) today thanked fisheries officials in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina for their continued work to develop state-led red snapper data collection programs following NOAA Fisheries’ issuance of new Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs).

The order establishes a national policy to elevate marine recreational fishing in federal fisheries management and directs federal agencies to pursue better data and more modern management approaches, strengthen State-Federal partnerships, remove unnecessary barriers to access and advance innovative solutions for American anglers.

This bipartisan legislation would help conserve established marine ecosystems on offshore oil and gas infrastructure by facilitating the voluntary conversion of eligible structures into permanent artificial reefs through state Rigs-to-Reefs programs.

NOAA Fisheries is no longer including durable goods expenditures, such as boats, trailers, electronics, and fishing tackle, in its state-level estimates of recreational fishing expenditures. As a result, the economic footprint of recreational fishing presented to the Gulf Council is significantly understated, at precisely the wrong time.

190-page decision describes “overwhelming evidence” presented during six-week trial proving state coastal fisheries management failures

Florida, Georgia and South Carolina have filed revised Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) that would allow recreational harvest of red snapper in state and federal waters during a 31-day October season.

The coalition continues to support efforts to modernize South Atlantic red snapper management, improve recreational data collection and provide reasonable public access consistent with conservation.

Fly-in participants meet with 30 congressional offices and call for a meaningful 2026 season, better data and stronger state-led management

This preliminary injunction was issued just hours before Florida’s Atlantic red snapper season under their EFP was set to begin, leading to immediate confusion, frustration and economic disruption for anglers, for-hire operators, marinas, tackle shops and coastal communities that had prepared for the opening of the 2026 season.

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) have jointly moved to intervene in litigation challenging the National Marine Fisheries Service’s approval of state Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) for the 2026 South Atlantic red snapper season.

Anglers along the South Atlantic coast are celebrating today as President Trump announced the issuance of exempted fishing permits to Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

State-Led Fisheries Management Advances; Review of Vessel Speed Rule Announced; Recreational Data Modernization Heralded