FWC eyeing 78-day red snapper season for 2017; considering fall triggerfish season

The proposed Gulf recreational red snapper season would open continuously starting the Saturday before Memorial Day through the Sunday after July 4. In addition, the season would be open Saturdays and Sundays starting in May and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in September and October, plus Labor Day.

At its February meeting in Crystal River, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation approved a draft rule to set the 2017 Gulf state waters recreational red snapper season, and discussed the potential for a fall 2017 Gulf recreational gray triggerfish season.

The proposed Gulf recreational red snapper season, if approved at the April meeting in Tallahassee, would be 78 days in total:

• Open Saturdays and Sundays in May starting the first Saturday in May.
• Continuously starting the Saturday before Memorial Day through Sunday following Independence Day.
• Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in September and October, plus Labor Day.

Due to the 2016 federal quota being exceeded, the Gulf recreational gray triggerfish season has been closed in state and federal waters for all of 2017. FWC staff is gathering input on a limited fall 2017 season in state waters that could provide harvest opportunities to anglers.