WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Neal Dunn (Florida-02) voiced his approval of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) decision to issue a final rule that would modify calibration ratios used to compare recreational red snapper landings estimates and increase the catch limits for Gulf of Mexico gray snappers in coordination with the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council).

“Fishing for red and gray snappers is a daily revenue generator for America’s small businesses, especially in the Florida panhandle,” said Congressman. Dunn. “Increasing the catch limit for red and gray snappers will dramatically improve conditions for Florida’s charter captains, bait shops, hotels, restaurants, towns, and counties. It was past time for NOAA to heed my request to increase the catch limits for both species to better reflect their population in the Gulf and allow Florida anglers to fish these waters responsibly.”

Background:

• On June 8, 2023, the Council took final action to update red snapper private recreational data calibrations for Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi to update red snapper private recreational data calibrations.

• In July 2023, Congressman Dunn sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo requesting that she act on this information by issuing a new rule to approve the new recreational data calibrations and increase catch limits.

• On May 10, 2024, NOAA announced a final rule to modify the calibration ratios for red snapper in Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi and increase the catch limits for Gulf of Mexico Gray snapper.

Read the full letter to Secretary Raimondo here.

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