Court Blocks South Atlantic Red Snapper Permits as Georgia Pilot Season Faces Delay
A planned 62-day recreational red snapper season in federal waters off Georgia has been delayed after a federal judge blocked a group of Exempted Fishing Permits for South Atlantic states.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources said the season had been scheduled to begin on July 1, but it will not move forward as planned because of the court ruling.
Federal Judge Blocks South Atlantic Fishing Permits
The injunction was issued by a judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The ruling prevents the permits from being implemented while a legal challenge continues.
The blocked permits affected applications from Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Georgia’s permit would have allowed the state to launch its pilot recreational red snapper season, but the request was challenged in federal court by the Southeastern Fisheries Association. Environmental groups, including the Environmental Defense Fund and Ocean Conservancy, supported the lawsuit.
Georgia DNR Withdraws Original Request
Following the court decision, Georgia DNR withdrew its original permit request and said it plans to submit a revised EFP application.
DNR Commissioner Walter Rabon said the outcome was disappointing, but the agency remains focused on expanding red snapper fishing access for Georgia anglers.
Rabon said state-led management and stronger data collection could offer a better path forward, and the agency will continue working with partners to pursue that goal.
Summer Season Will Not Start July 1
Because there is not enough time for the legal process to finish before the planned July 1 opening date, the expected summer pilot season will not happen on schedule.
Georgia DNR is now working with partner states and federal officials to create a revised application that addresses the concerns raised by the court.
The U.S. Department of Commerce has said it will review any new application as quickly as possible.
Fall Red Snapper Season Still Possible
Officials hope to submit revised permits in the coming weeks. The goal is to establish some form of recreational red snapper season later this fall.
The pilot program was intended to improve recreational harvest data through mandatory angler reporting. State officials said better reporting would help track red snapper catches more accurately and support future requests for expanded fishing opportunities.
Georgia’s proposed 62-day recreational red snapper season has been delayed after a federal court blocked Exempted Fishing Permits for several South Atlantic states. While the July 1 start date is no longer possible, Georgia DNR plans to submit a revised application and hopes to create a fall season that improves access while addressing legal and management concerns.