TALLAHASSEE, Florida \u2013 In the scarlet state of Florida, another scarlet symbol often floats through Gov. Ron DeSantis’s remarks: the red snapper.<\/p>\n
The scarlet bottom-feeder is a prize among fishermen, a coveted delicacy for residents and a target for tourists hoping to experience a day of Sunshine State entertainment. It has also become part of the state’s cultural heritage, something DeSantis frequently brings up during press conferences around Florida.<\/p>\n
But a years-long battle over how to manage the red snapper fishery is spilling over across the state, and has some commercial fishermen and environmental groups worried about the future of the beloved fish.<\/p>\n
Florida has applied to take temporary control of the recreational red snapper fishery along the state’s Atlantic coast through exempt fishing permits, or EFPs. If approved, the state would score another victory in its effort to increase control over the red snapper fishery and expand access for recreational fishermen.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know we can do this effectively, and we know this is something that can make a big difference for our recreational fishermen, especially in Northeast Florida,\u201d DeSantis said during a press conference in November announcing the state proposal.<\/p>\n
Under the state’s EFP, Atlantic recreational fishermen will be allowed to fish for red snapper for 39 days this year \u2014 a big jump from last year, when they were only allowed a two-day season. DeSantis said he has spoken to President Donald Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick about the proposal and both have expressed their support.<\/p>\n
The EFP will run through 2028, and could make it easier for Florida to take permanent control of Atlantic recreational red snapper. NOAA Fisheries, the federal agency responsible for managing U.S. fisheries, is expected to hand down its decision by May 1.<\/p>\n
In response to a list of questions, a spokesperson for DeSantis referred POLITICO to his November press conference and previous X posts about red snapper.<\/p>\n
Recreational fishermen are overwhelmingly supporting the EFP, which would ease their strict regulations under federal regulators. NOAA Fisheries’ data is suspect, and the agency has not expanded recreational fishing in the Atlantic despite signs that stocks are healthy, said Martha Guayas, Southeast fisheries policy director at the American Sportfishing Association, a group that supports recreational fishing.<\/p>\n
“You have people who are frustrated that they’re seeing a lot of red snapper out there, but they’re being forced to throw them back,” Guayas said. “It’s like you’re ruining a fish.”<\/p>\n
Extending the fishing season would reduce fishing pressure and prevent fishermen from putting boats in the water during a potentially unsafe season, Guayas said.<\/p>\n
But not everyone agrees with the state’s program.<\/p>\n
Some in the Atlantic Coast commercial fishing industry fear their livelihoods would be affected if the state took away control of red snapper. Industry members say the state’s EFP does not adequately anticipate how much pressure an extended recreational season would put on red snapper and lacks guardrails to protect their industry.<\/p>\n
“Fisheries should be managed by science,” said Bob Zales, executive director of the pro-commercial fishing Southeastern Fisheries Association. \u201cAnd no matter how badly you want something for political influence and political pull or whatever, if it doesn’t work with the science\u2026 you don’t have to go there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Commercial fishermen support the EFP as a concept, but say the current language of the state proposal lacks accountability.<\/p>\n