FWC Opens Up Rare Special Fishing Program Starting Today
If you’ve ever been frustrated by how short Florida’s Atlantic red snapper season is, here’s your chance to get in on something different.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) just announced that applications are now open for Year 2 of a special fishing program that gives selected anglers permission to catch red snapper outside of the regular season.
Normally, red snapper fishing is tightly limited under federal rules—but through a special permit called an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP), the FWC is working with NOAA to collect better data and give more flexibility to anglers. Over 1,600 people participated in Year 1, and this year’s program hopes to build on that momentum.
Participants in the program are chosen by lottery and will help the FWC with important research about snapper and other reef fish, including how many are caught and how people feel about the fishing experience. The goal is to use this information to improve future regulations—and possibly open up more fishing opportunities down the road.
There are three different studies within the program, each covering different parts of Florida’s east coast, from the Georgia line all the way to the Dry Tortugas. All of them require anglers to report their catches using an FWC app.
Applications for the first quarter of Year 2 are open now through August 10. To apply, visit GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or learn more at MyFWC.com/AtlanticEFP.
Whether you’re a weekend fisher or a for-hire boat operator, this is a rare chance to take part in something that could shape the future of Florida’s fisheries—while also enjoying a red snapper dinner legally, before anyone else.
