Image: red_snapper

A federal ruling blocked special permits that allowed recreational fishing for red snapper in Atlantic waters. (Image by Fabien Monteil)

A federal judge paused Florida’s expanded Atlantic red snapper season on May 22, 2026, just before it was set to open. The ruling blocked special federal permits that would have allowed Florida and several other southeastern states to offer longer recreational fishing seasons in federal Atlantic waters. The decision immediately disrupted plans for anglers, charter captains, and coastal businesses preparing for the Memorial Day weekend opener.

According to floridatoday.com, permits had been approved by NOAA earlier in May under a program giving states more flexibility in managing recreational red snapper fishing. Florida officials had promoted a 39-day Atlantic season with additional fall weekends, arguing that red snapper populations had recovered enough to support increased recreational harvest opportunities.

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Commercial fishing organizations and conservation groups sued to stop the permits, warning that the expanded seasons could lead to overfishing and threaten long-term recovery efforts for Atlantic red snapper. A federal court agreed there were enough concerns to temporarily halt the program while the case moves forward.

As a result of the ruling, anglers cannot harvest red snapper in federal South Atlantic waters, which begin three nautical miles off Florida’s Atlantic coast. However, Florida still allows limited recreational fishing in state Atlantic waters inside that three-mile boundary. Anglers fishing legally in state waters may keep two red snapper per person with a 20-inch minimum size limit during the approved dates.

Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida wildlife officials criticized the decision and said they plan to challenge it. Meanwhile, charter operators and tourism businesses reported cancellations and financial losses from the sudden closure, while conservation advocates argued the restrictions are necessary to protect the fish population for future seasons.

"On May 21, 2026, a rogue federal judge sided with activists in an attempt to block Floridians from exercising their right to fish through the recently approved Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) for Atlantic Red Snapper issued by NOAA Fisheries earlier this month," the FWC said on May 22.

The NOAA Fisheries website provides up-to-date info. You can also sign up for NOAA text alerts to notify you of any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly.