Trump expands red snapper fishery as critics warn of overfishing | Donald Trump News

US President Donald Trump has announced that all federal permits for the 2026 recreational fishing season have been approved, a move he says will expand opportunities for fishermen in the Southeast.

In a message shared on Truth Social on Friday, Trump described the decision as a “huge victory” for fishermen in states including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

“For many years, our Great Fishermen have been punished by short Federal fishing seasons despite RECORD HIGH numbers of fish and States requesting to manage these permits,” he added.

The plan involves a partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which oversees fisheries and puts the seasons in federal waters.

Fun red snapper fishing

For years, the recreational snapper fishery has been tightly regulated by the state, often opening only briefly what critics say it prohibits.

At their lowest point in the late 1990s and early 2000s, red snapper have fallen to about 11 percent of their history, prompting protection measures under a long-term rebuilding plan that runs through 2044.

Several states in the Southeast have been pushing for flexibility, seeking a greater role in setting fishing seasons and expanding the number of days fishermen can fish.

Catch and size limits would still apply, with fishermen limited to one catch per day in the South Atlantic.

Supporters argue that the change better reflects what they describe as a recovering population and could create opportunities for recreational fishermen.

“Government regulation and expansion of the Gulf snapper season has greatly benefited our Gulf of America communities, allowing Floridians and many visitors to enjoy the Red Snapper our waters have to offer,” said Governor Ron DeSantis in a November 2025 release.

“I was proud to announce that Florida anglers will soon be able to enjoy more Atlantic Red Snapper. The Trump administration has taken steps to establish regulations and return these powers to the states,” he added.

A similar process has already begun in the Gulf of Mexico, where nations have taken a leading role in regulating the red game seasons.

But the Ocean Conservancy, a non-profit US marine conservation organization, says there are increasing warning signs under the system, including reports of declining average fish sizes and reports from fishermen who say they have to travel far to catch the breeder.

The group also notes that recent Gulf Council meetings have included public testimony from fishermen expressing concern about stock depletion.

The group says the population in the Gulf is 10 times larger, meaning that the control measures that seem to be in place there may not translate into smaller, more vulnerable stocks.

Concerns about the dangers of overfishing

Marine scientists and conservation groups warn that loosening government oversight could increase the risk of overfishing, especially if monitoring and enforcement differ across countries.

Under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, regulators are required to set annual catch limits to prevent overfishing, but critics say longer fishing seasons could undermine that protection.

“These revoked fishing licenses are the result of sustainable management,” said Meredith Moore of the Ocean Conservancy in a release shared with Al Jazeera.

“Last year, NOAA’s own research showed that a two-day season was necessary to prevent overfishing. There is no doubt that allowing several months of season results in more fish, while poor data collection means we may not notice the damage until it’s over.”

Some warn that the danger may be seen beyond the abundance of stocks, which could jeopardize the future of the fishery.

“Overfishing means forgoing the opportunity to teach the next generation to fish to fill the cold water this season,” added JP Brooker, Florida’s conservation group manager.

“Redfish are a favorite of Floridians and foreign anglers alike.” “Nobody likes a short fishing season, but if we don’t follow science and allow these fish to come back, we could soon lose our favorite fishing season,” he added.

Estimates by the Ocean Conservancy show a growing concern. Federal regulators have set a catch limit of 22,797 for South Atlantic recreational fish, yet the most recent two-day season in Florida alone reached 24,885 fish.

The group estimates that the catch could reach 485,000 during the 39-day season, 20 times the annual limit and possibly in violation of federal regulations.