ASA and CCA Intervene in South Atlantic Red Snapper Lawsuit to Defend Recreational Fishing Access

For Immediate Release
Contact: Rob Shane
Public Affairs Manager
American Sportfishing Association

Alexandria, VA and Houston, TX – May 15, 2025 – 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.

The lawsuit seeks to overturn a landmark pilot program that will allow Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina to implement expanded recreational red snapper seasons while collecting critical fisheries data to inform future management improvements.

ASA and CCA filed their motion to intervene in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to ensure recreational anglers and the recreational fishing industry have a voice in defending the EFPs and the access opportunities they provide.

“For years, anglers have faced extremely limited red snapper seasons despite the stock rebuilding far ahead of schedule,” said Glenn Hughes, president and CEO of the American Sportfishing Association. “These pilot programs represent a transformational opportunity to improve recreational data collection, expand reasonable public access and advance state-led management approaches that have already proven successful in the Gulf. ASA is intervening to help protect that progress for recreational anglers and the sportfishing industry.”

“These pilot programs are about creating an improved recreational data collection and management framework for recreational fisheries while maintaining strong conservation standards,” said CCA President Pat Murray. “Recreational anglers have waited years for management that reflects the stock’s rebuilt status and current abundance trends. The states are stepping up with more responsive management and better data collection, and we believe that effort deserves strong support.”

South Atlantic red snapper harvest was closed in 2010 as part of a rebuilding plan. Conservation measures and angler compliance helped the stock rebound nearly two decades ahead of schedule, and the fishery is no longer considered overfished or undergoing overfishing. However, federal recreational harvest estimates continued to drive extremely short seasons, including a one-day season in 2024 and a two-day season in 2025.

Both organizations emphasized that improved recreational access and strong conservation standards can and should work together.

Under the approved EFPs, Florida’s recreational season will span 39 days split between summer and fall, while Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina will each have 62-day seasons beginning July 1. The states will also collect catch and effort information from anglers and for-hire operators to evaluate improved recreational management approaches.

ASA and CCA noted that similar state-led pilot programs in the Gulf of America helped pave the way for long-term state management of Gulf red snapper beginning in 2020, resulting in expanded fishing opportunities while still meeting federal conservation requirements.

The organizations emphasized that the lawsuit directly threatens recreational fishing access and the economic activity supported by the recreational fishing community across the South Atlantic region.

About the American Sportfishing Association

The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association committed to representing the interests of the sportfishing industry and the entire recreational fishing community. ASA gives the industry and anglers a unified voice when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or recreational fishing itself. ASA also safeguards and promotes the enduring economic, conservation and social values of sportfishing in America.

About the Coastal Conservation Association

Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) is a nonprofit organization comprised of recreational anglers and conservation advocates dedicated to conserving, promoting and enhancing the present and future availability of coastal marine resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the general public.