Red Snapper Exempted Fishing Permit Season 2026
Preliminary decision in federal court pauses South Atlantic Red Snapper Exempted Fishing Permits
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Red Snapper South Atlantic Exempted Fishing Permits (EFP) for southeastern states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, are no longer in effect until further order from the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The recreational harvest of Red Snapper in the South Atlantic remains closed.
Originally, NOAA issued a Red Snapper EFP to the NC Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Marine Fisheries and each of the three other southeastern states to explore whether states can collect near real-time data to monitor the Red Snapper recreational fishery.
For more information, go to the NOAA fisheries Southeast Region Fishery Bulletin here.
More information will be provided in the event of a future court decision reversing the preliminary injunction. Private anglers and for-hire operators/owners may continue to register below. Until further notice, it remains unlawful to possess Red Snapper taken from North Carolina waters or from federal waters.
Should the preliminary injunction be lifted, private anglers must download the VESL application to either a smart phone, tablet, or computer, follow the prompts to set up an account using an email address. You will then attest that you have read and understood the reporting requirements to receive a copy of the EFP. Finally, you must provide fishing trip information whenever you fish for a Red Snapper in 2026. Until further notice, it remains unlawful to possess Red Snapper taken from North Carolina waters or from federal waters.
Should the preliminary injunction be lifted, a for-hire operation must have had a valid federal charter vessel/headboat permit for snapper-grouper at any time between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2025 to qualify to fish for Red Snapper in 2026. The for-hire captain must request a copy of the EFP from the Division of Marine Fisheries by going to https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/VH5sQ4SCR8. There you must fill out the request form and provide contact and vessel information, and attest that you will continue to report your Red Snapper catches to the appropriate reporting program. You will then receive a copy of the EFP so that you can operate. Until further notice, it remains unlawful to possess Red Snapper taken from North Carolina waters or from federal waters.
Thank you to Return 'Em Right for the Red Snapper photos