If you plan on fishing for red snapper this year, you have just ten days left. The Marine Resources Division (MRD) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announced on Friday that the 2023 private angler red snapper fishing season will close at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, September 4.
The federal government is limiting Alabama to 591,185 pounds of Red Snapper in 2023. It is anticipated that that quota will be caught by the time of the announced season-end date.
Scott Bannon is the Director of the MRD.
“Weather is generally the primary factor in the duration of the red snapper season in Alabama,” said Director Bannon. “Other than multiple days of excessive heat, the weather was very favorable for offshore fishing this year. Having a red snapper season that runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend is much better than the 3, 7, and 9-day seasons we had prior to states having the opportunity to manage their quotas. We thank anglers for continuing to report their red snapper, greater amberjack, and triggerfish catches through Snapper Check. It’s an important tool that helps provide increased access to these fisheries.”
MRD anticipates that Alabama will be granted an increase to the Alabama quota for the 2024 season based on a rule to be approved by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce in late 2023.
Chris Blankenship is the ADCNR Commissioner.
“It has been a good, long red snapper season in Alabama this year,” said Commissioner Blankenship. “Under state management, we were able to have red snapper season open during the prime months for offshore fishing. It was exciting to see anglers steadily reeling in red snapper throughout the summer. ADCNR will continue working to ensure our citizens and visitors have access to the incredible red snapper fishery off the coast of Alabama.”
Alabama did not reach the quota in 2022. According to Red Snapper landing information from the 2021-2023 seasons, the state is very close to the federal quota.
Red snapper management and the number of fish that live in the Gulf of Mexico has been a point of contention between the state and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Division.
Anglers are reminded that the daily bag limit is two red snapper per person per day, with a minimum size limit of 16 inches in total length. To take any fish beyond the two-fish limit or any red snapper smaller than 16 inches is strictly illegal.
To lawfully fish for red snapper – or any other saltwater fish – you must have a valid Alabama Saltwater Fishing License. License requirements, harvest requirements, reporting, and daily bag limits still apply during jubilees.
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