LWF Commission Sets 2018 Recreational Red Snapper Season
May 03, 2018 07:06PM ● By Staff Writer
(Press Release) The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission announced the 2018 recreational red snapper season will begin on Friday, May 25 in both state and federal waters. The season will run 7 days a week with a daily bag limit of two fish per person and a 16-inch total length minimum size limit.
The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission may consider amending the season at a future meeting to weekends-only if necessary. The season will remain open until recreational landings approach or reach Louisiana’s annual private recreational allocation of 743,000 pounds of red snapper according to estimates from LA Creel.
This year’s season differs from years prior in that state and federal seasons will run concurrently because federal fisheries managers approved the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ application for an Exempted Fishing Permit to manage the private recreational snapper season in state and federal waters in 2018 and 2019. Under the EFP, participating anglers will be allowed to fish red snapper in the state territorial seas and adjoining federal EEZ, from shore to 200 nautical miles, during the season set by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission. NOAA Fisheries will continue to regulate federal for-hire charter vessels.
The intent of the state’s EFP is to test a state-based management approach that allows the recreational harvest of red snapper in federal waters off Louisiana’s coast.
“This is a significant beginning for Louisiana. We now have the charge to manage both the state and federal red snapper seasons,” said LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet. “It is our job to make sure that this is a success, and we will be calling on our anglers to assist.”
“Since I came on as Secretary, Gov. John Bel Edwards has said Louisiana has done everything necessary to manage the state and federal waters off our coast,” Montoucet said. “I know that he and other Louisiana state and federal officials who have promoted this idea are happy to see this day.”
Gov. Edwards praised the state’s new position. “Being an avid fisherman myself, I know how important it is that Louisiana now controls red snapper seasons here,” he said. “Like so many Louisiana anglers, I applaud the effort of LDWF, its biologists and staff, along with our Congressional delegation, to make this happen.
Resident and Non-Resident Recreational Anglers:
- Must possess valid Louisiana Basic and Saltwater Recreational Fishing Licenses as well as a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit (free of charge) to participate.
- Anglers can sign up via the ROLP website or smartphone application (Google Play or iTunes) to participate. Log into your ROLP account and click the link to register to fish for red snapper under the EFP. Once you have registered, save an electronic copy on your mobile device or print a copy of your ROLP indicating your EFP registration and carry it on your person along with applicable licenses while fishing under the EFP.
