They Killed
Our Season.
We're Fighting Back.
On May 21, 2026, a federal judge sided with commercial fishing interests and environmental groups to block Florida's expanded red snapper season — the day before Memorial Day weekend.
What Happened
Days of snapper season, gone overnight.
On May 21, 2026 — the day before Memorial Day weekend — a federal judge in Washington D.C. issued a preliminary injunction that shut down Florida's expanded Atlantic red snapper season. Judge Contreras ruled in favor of plaintiffs who argued the National Marine Fisheries Service hadn't properly justified a 39-day recreational season.
The plaintiffs — including the Southeastern Fisheries Association (representing commercial interests), Earthjustice, the Ocean Conservancy, and the Environmental Defense Fund — successfully argued that the 2026 season violated the Magnuson-Stevens Act. Never mind that the stock is rebuilt. Never mind the economic impact.
The American Sportfishing Association and Coastal Conservation Association intervened on our side, but the fight needs stronger grassroots backing.
Who's Impacted
- 🎣 Charter captains in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina
- ⚖️ State waters (0-3 miles) remain open at 2 fish/person
- 🚫 Federal waters (beyond 3 miles) are completely closed
- 💼 $10,000+ in lost revenue per charter captain just on Memorial Day weekend
- 🏛️ Southeastern Fisheries Association sued with environmental groups — commercial and eco groups on the same side against recreational fishing
Why S.A.F.E. is Getting Involved
We Live on the Water. Not Behind a Desk.
S.A.F.E. wasn't founded by environmental lawyers writing briefs from an office in D.C. We were founded by real charter captains who have been fishing these waters for decades. Captain Jon Reynolds, Captain Kit Carson, Captain Joey Spaulding — these are boots-on-the-deck fishermen who show up every day, rain or shine, and whose livelihoods depend on healthy, well-managed fisheries.
We're not an environmental organization that parachutes into fishery debates. We're the guys who get called when red snapper shows up on the dock. We're the ones who report the bycatch, who talk to NOAA biologists, who know first-hand when a stock is rebuilt.
We Make Sure the Recreational Voice Is Heard
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) are doing vital legal work in this case. But SAFE represents a different constituency: the boots-on-the-deck charter captains whose families, crews, and businesses are on the line. We bring the real-world impact perspective that no courtroom filing can fabricate — and we make sure that voice is heard.
This Fight is Existential
This isn't a policy disagreement. This is existential for the charter industry in the South Atlantic. If the commercial fishing and environmental alliance succeeds in permanently blocking expanded recreational seasons, charter captains from St. Augustine to Morehead City face a future of zero-day federal seasons — every year, forever.
That means businesses fail. Families lose their income. Fishing communities disappear. And the recreational anglers who power a $31 billion industry in Florida alone lose their access to a rebuilt, sustainable resource.
We're not going to let that happen.
The Numbers
The data tells the story better than we ever could.
Florida's recreational boating industry
Jobs supported by recreational fishing in Florida
Licensed anglers in Florida
Days of snapper season — eliminated overnight
Ocean Conservancy's claimed annual catch limit (lbs)
Their projected 39-day catch (their number, not reality)
Our Demands
Three things that need to change. Now.
Atlantic State Management Now
Florida manages Gulf red snapper successfully. The Atlantic should be the same — give states control of their waters out to 200 miles, just like the Gulf.
Science-Based Limits
The stock is rebuilt ahead of schedule. Season lengths should reflect abundance, not fear. Real data, real science — not activist-driven policy.
Protect Working Families
Charter captains lost $10K+ each this Memorial Day weekend alone. These are real people, real jobs, real families — not corporate balance sheets.
Commercial Money vs. Recreational Numbers
The narrative being pushed in court doesn't match reality. Here's what's actually happening.
They Have Money
- ▸ The Southeastern Fisheries Association sued to block the season — they have commercial fishing money and D.C. lobbyists
- ▸ Earthjustice, the Ocean Conservancy, and Environmental Defense Fund jumped in on their side — big-budget environmental orgs with full legal teams
- ▸ They flooded the press with scary-sounding numbers — 22,797 lbs annual catch, 485K lbs projected harvest — designed to alarm the public
- ▸ They have paid staff, media operations, and institutional infrastructure built over decades
- ▸ The federal stock-assessment data used to justify the closure has come under serious question — even as the fishery shows every sign of being rebuilt
We Have Numbers
- ▸ 4 million licensed anglers in Florida
- ▸ $31.3 billion recreational boating industry in Florida
- ▸ 100,000+ jobs supported by recreational fishing
- ▸ 922,000 registered boats in Florida
- ▸ 39,000+ for-hire vessels (charter, head boat, guide)
They have money. We have numbers. We have votes. We have voices.
Their Own Data Proves Our Point
The numbers they filed in court actually prove the stock is abundant.
Their claimed annual catch limit (lbs) — the number they told the court was too high for red snapper to sustain
The actual catch in just 2 days of the 2025 season — even their data shows the stock is abundant enough to handle recreational harvest
"This isn't a conservation fight. It's a resource allocation fight.
And recreational anglers deserve a seat at the table."
— The Atlantic Red Snapper Alliance
How You Can Help
Four ways to make a difference right now.
Share Your Story
Tell us how this ruling affected your business and your family.
Report Your LossesFund the Fight
Every dollar goes directly toward the legal fight for state management.
Donate to the Legal Fund →Report Your Impact
If you're a charter captain whose business was affected by the red snapper season closure, we need to hear from you. Your stories and numbers are critical evidence in the ongoing legal fight.
Fill Out the Captain Impact Report →
They Have Lawyers.
We Have Each Other.
Commercial fishing has lobbyists. Environmental groups have lawyers. Recreational anglers have each other — and we have the numbers. Join the Atlantic Red Snapper Alliance. File your impact report. Donate to fund the fight.