Red snapper season approved by FWC

A 78-day recreational red snapper 2017 season in the state of Florida’s Gulf of Mexico waters has been approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The season was approved by the commission on Thursday during the second day of its two-day meeting in Tallahassee, according to the FWC website.

The season will be open on:

▪  Saturdays and Sundays in May, starting May 6.

▪  Daily starting May 27 through July 9.

▪  Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in September and October, plus Labor Day.

“We are once again able to provide and maintain fishing opportunities for Gulf recreational anglers and provide stakeholders with spring, summer and fall fishing options for this economically important species,” Commissioner Chuck Roberts said in a statement.

Florida state waters arre from shore to 9 nautical miles into the Gulf of Mexico.

The season for private recreational anglers and federally-permitted charter boats and head boats in federal waters has not yet been announced by National Marine Fisheries Service Fisheries. Federal waters extend from the state waters boundary to about 200 nautical miles from shore or where other country’s waters begin.

For more information about red snapper visit: myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/snappers/.

For more information on the FWC meeting this week: myfwc.com/about/commission/commission-meetings/2017/april/19/agenda/.

This story was originally published April 20, 2017 at 3:34 PM with the headline "Red snapper season approved by FWC."