Typically, catching 108 red snapper from the South Atlantic could lead to legal repercussions, but with Florida Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs), that’s not the case.
Current studies along Florida’s east coast are allowing recreational anglers to keep red snapper, and there are still chances to participate in the EFP program.
Team Buck Rogers Charters from Jacksonville successfully obtained four EFPs, allowing for 36 red snapper per trip. Anglers are likely feeling the strain from reeling in their catch.
“We’re piling up the catch. We have four permits and can keep 36 snapper each trip, and we’ve been successful every time,” Capt. Chad Starling stated. “It’s pretty simple. We did it in just 45 minutes after a 14-year hiatus.”
Fishing with an Exempted Fishing Permit
EFPs facilitate the catch of out-of-season fish for scientific exploration. Team Buck Rogers partakes in one of three prominent studies focused on red snapper and grouper led by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). With a crew of six anglers and an FWC representative, they’ve embarked on three successful fishing trips on September 18, 19, and 20, and Starling anticipates a fourth successful outing on October 1.
“Every fish is kept,” Starling added. “You can fish for 45 minutes and retain everything you catch.”
In a social media update on September 23, Team Buck Rogers quipped that their captains are experiencing fatigue from filleting fish and are quickly running out of Ziplock bags. All the meat is taken home by anglers while the carcasses are preserved for research by the FWC.
FWC revealed that these studies aim to collaborate with anglers to gather data on red snapper and explore methods to decrease discards. Starling expressed hope that researchers are observing various sizes and ages of red snapper from their boats, indicating a robust population that supports increased harvest possibilities.
Since 2011, NOAA has been overseeing the South Atlantic red snapper under strict rebuilding regulations, resulting in very limited federal seasons and bag limits. Many captains and recreational anglers have reported seeing unprecedented numbers of snapper due to these measures. The continuous strict regulations, however, are causing growing frustration. This summer, recreational anglers from North Carolina to Florida had only one day to harvest a single snapper per person.
“Like many of you, FWC is very frustrated with the existing situation regarding Atlantic red snapper management,” stated Jessica McCawley, director of FWC’s Division of Marine Fisheries Management. “We understand that anglers are observing more red snapper than ever while fishing. These particular EFPs are an effort to maximize the yield from discarded fish and enhance angler satisfaction by evaluating new management techniques.”
How to Obtain an Exempted Fishing Permit
The trips undertaken by Team Buck Rogers Charters are part of the FWC Study Fleet initiative. Every three months, the FWC selects five charter captains to participate by fishing in Atlantic waters off northern Florida. Private recreational anglers interested in joining these trips will likely need to be preferred clients of one of the selected captains.
Private recreational charter captains looking to participate can find eligibility criteria and enrollment details on myfwc.com. For application instructions, viewing this video is recommended.
Two additional programs allow private recreational anglers to keep a limited number of red snapper. The FWC Hot Spot Fleet program is designed for private Florida anglers fishing north of Cape Canaveral’s NASA Vehicle Assembly Building. Conversely, the SE FL Snapper Grouper Fleet program caters to those fishing south of that location.
“For years, FWC has been informed that anglers want to contribute data directly to enhance the management of Atlantic red snapper,” noted FWC chairman Rodney Barreto. “This is your chance to participate. Your involvement is not just welcome; it’s crucial for the success of these studies and improvement of management practices.”
Every three months, up to 200 private anglers will be selected for each fleet via a lottery system. Each chosen angler will be assigned to either the experimental or control group. Specific requirements differ between the two groups, with anglers in the experimental group granted the ability to harvest three snapper daily during official fleet expeditions.
Each of the three fleet programs has three remaining application windows: October 4-14, January 3-13, and April 4-14. For additional information regarding these programs, visit myfwc.com. For application guidance, you can view this video.