DNR Collecting Red Snapper Data

Georgia DNR is working with NOAA Fisheries to collect data on harvest, discards and fishing effort during the red snapper recreational mini-season scheduled to open later next week. Recreational anglers will be allowed to harvest red snapper in federal waters of the South Atlantic during the weekend of July 9-11.

Each recreational angler is allowed one red snapper per day with no size restriction.

If you decide to fish for red snapper, there are several ways you can help the Georgia DNR collect valuable data.

You can place your red snapper carcasses in a chest freezer located along the Georgia Coast. List of participating marinas and chest freezer locations. A $50 Academy Sports gift card will be randomly awarded to two participants who donate red snapper carcasses.

Anglers can provide information about each of their fishing trips by completing a brief Red Snapper Fishing Survey.

Anglers are encouraged to visit safmc.net/best-fishing-practices to learn more about releasing fish (e.g., videos of fish released with a descending device, how to use various types of devices, best practices to release fish). Descending devices rapidly descend fish to the depth at which they were caught. Releasing at depth has the potential to significantly improve survival. As of July 15, 2020, NOAA now requires fishermen targeting snapper grouper offshore to have a descending device on board, rigged and ready for use.

Anglers are thanked for providing an email address when obtaining a fishing license and Saltwater Information Program (SIP) permit. We appreciate the opportunity to email you and share this information directly with you.

Additional information about the red snapper recreational mini-season can be found in the NOAA press release “Opening of Recreational and Commercial Red Snapper Seasons in South Atlantic Federal Waters.”