In a major win for anglers and the sportfishing industry, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries has officially withdrawn a controversial proposal that would have shut down bottom fishing for 55 species of reef fish in Northeast Florida’s federal waters. The decision, tied to Amendment 59 of the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic, comes after months of pushback from anglers, industry leaders, and coastal communities who rely on fishing for their livelihoods and way of life.
The now-scrapped plan, introduced in January 2025, called for a three-month closure each year, stretching from the Florida-Georgia border down to southern Brevard County. This closure would have targeted a wide range of reef fish, including the prized red snapper, and threatened to cripple the sportfishing economy in Florida, a state where recreational fishing pumps $11.1 billion into the economy and supports over 70,000 jobs. For communities along the coast, where fishing tourism is a lifeline, the proposed ban was seen as a devastating blow that lacked solid scientific backing.
Martha Guyas, Southeast Fisheries Policy Director for the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), didn’t hold back in her praise for NOAA’s decision to rethink the plan. She called the closure “flawed” and pointed out that it would have gutted an industry that draws more than 5 million anglers to Florida’s waters every year. The ASA, which represents the interests of the sportfishing and boating industries, led the charge against the proposal, rallying 76 industry members from across the country to sign a joint letter opposing the closure. Their efforts were backed by over 600 public comments, most of which slammed the idea of shutting down access to these fisheries.
The heart of the issue lies in the red snapper, a fish that’s both a favorite catch for anglers and a lightning rod for fishery management debates. NOAA’s original push for the closure came from a legal settlement requiring action to end overfishing of red snapper in the South Atlantic. But here’s the catch: both anglers and NOAA’s own scientists agree that red snapper populations are thriving, with more fish in the water than at any point in recent decades. Thanks to nearly two decades of sacrifices by recreational anglers and the sportfishing industry, the fishery has rebuilt far ahead of schedule. Many argued that this success should lead to more fishing opportunities, not heavy-handed restrictions.
The data behind the proposed closure also raised red flags. NOAA relied on the Marine Recreational Information Program – Fishing Estimate Survey (MRIP-FES), which a recent study showed could be off by as much as 30-40%. This shaky foundation fueled skepticism about the need for such a drastic measure. With the closure now off the table, the “overfished” and “undergoing overfishing” labels for South Atlantic red snapper have also been lifted, a move that many see as a step toward fairer management.
Still, the fight isn’t over. Amendment 59 still limits the 2025 recreational red snapper season to just two days—July 11 and 12—a restriction that has anglers and industry advocates shaking their heads. For a fishery that’s rebounding so strongly, a two-day season feels like a slap in the face to those who’ve worked hard to rebuild it. The ASA and its allies are now pushing for better data collection and more reasonable access to the fishery. One promising step is the South Atlantic Great Red Snapper Count, a comprehensive study set to wrap up this summer. This effort could provide the hard numbers needed to justify longer seasons and fewer restrictions.
States like Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina are also stepping up, asking the Trump Administration to hand over management of Atlantic red snapper and other reef fish to state authorities. They point to the Gulf of Mexico, where state-led management has successfully balanced conservation with angler access. The hope is that a similar approach in the South Atlantic could lead to smarter, more flexible policies that keep fisheries healthy while letting anglers enjoy their time on the water.
The decision to scrap the closure wasn’t just a local victory. Manufacturers and retailers across the country, from tackle shops to boat builders, depend on Florida’s recreational fishing market. A closure would have sent ripples far beyond the Sunshine State, hitting businesses and jobs in dozens of states. The ASA’s joint letter, signed by industry members nationwide, underscored just how much was at stake.
Elected officials also played a key role in turning the tide. Senator Rick Scott and Representatives John Rutherford and Darin Soto, from both sides of the aisle, introduced the Red Snapper Act, a bipartisan bill that would block any area closures for red snapper until the Great Red Snapper Count is complete. Their leadership, combined with the efforts of Assistant Administrator for NOAA Fisheries Eugenio Piñeiro Soler, helped steer the agency toward a more balanced approach.
For now, anglers can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing they won’t face a sweeping closure that would have kept them off the water. But the short recreational season and ongoing data challenges mean there’s still work to be done. The sportfishing community, backed by groups like the ASA, is ready to keep fighting for policies that protect both the fish and the people who love to catch them. With 55 million anglers nationwide contributing nearly $50 billion in retail sales and supporting 800,000 jobs, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
