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New federal Red Snapper season announced

17-35-MMS| June 14, 2017

BILOXI, Miss. – Recreational anglers in Mississippi will have 39 days to fish for Red Snapper in state and federal waters beginning Friday, June 16.

 

The U.S. Department of Commerce and the five Gulf states agreed this week to align the state and federal seasons.

 

“Negotiations with the Department of Commerce for an extended federal season for recreational anglers came as a result of an intervention by Congressman Steven Palazzo and members of Congress,” said Jamie Miller, executive director of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. “I believe this decision shows our willingness to negotiate in good faith with our federal and state partners to give our Mississippi anglers the most opportunities to fish for Red Snapper.”

 

Each week through Sept. 4, Red Snapper season will be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The season also will be open Monday, July 3, Tuesday, July 4 and Monday, Sept. 4.

 

State and federal waters will be closed to Red Snapper fishing Monday through Thursday except for the days listed above.

 

This change does not affect the commercial season or the recreational for-hire season. The federal for-hire season ends at 12:01 a.m. July 20.

 

Anglers still are required to participate in MDMR’s reporting program for Red Snapper, “Tails n’ Scales.” This program is available through a smartphone app, a website and a call center. The app is available in iTunes and Google Play. The website is tailsnscales.org. Fishermen also can call 1-844-MSSNAPP (677-6277) to speak to a representative 24 hours a day.

 

Anglers must create a profile and start a trip. They must have a trip number when they are out on the water. They must report their catch and close out one trip before creating a new one.

The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of the state by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes. Visit the DMR online at dmr.ms.gov.

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