Fisheries of the South Atlantic; 2026 Commercial Closure of Red Snapper in the South Atlantic

Issuing agencies

Abstract

NMFS implements an accountability measure for red snapper in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS projects that commercial landings of red snapper will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the 2026 fishing year. Therefore, NMFS is closing the commercial sector for red snapper in the South Atlantic EEZ. This closure is necessary to protect the red snapper resource.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 161 (Friday, August 21, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 161 (Friday, August 21, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54246-54247]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17120]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 1710319998630-02; RTID 0648-XF979]


Fisheries of the South Atlantic; 2026 Commercial Closure of Red 
Snapper in the South Atlantic

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS implements an accountability measure for red snapper in 
the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS projects 
that commercial landings of red snapper will reach the commercial 
annual catch limit (ACL) for the 2026 fishing year. Therefore, NMFS is 
closing the commercial sector for red snapper in the South Atlantic 
EEZ. This closure is necessary to protect the red snapper resource.

DATES: This temporary rule is effective from August 24, 2026, through 
December 31, 2026.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nikhil Mehta, NMFS Southeast Regional 
Office, 727-824-5305, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0967606261606527646c617d684967666868276e667f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0b65626063626725666e637f6a4b65646a6a256c647d">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South 
Atlantic includes red snapper and is managed under the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic 
Region (FMP). The FMP was prepared by the South Atlantic Fishery 
Management Council and NMFS, and was approved by the Secretary of 
Commerce, and is implemented by NMFS through regulations at 50 CFR part 
622 under the authority of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation 
and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).
    The regulations codified at 50 CFR 622.193(y)(1) specify the 
commercial ACL and the commercial accountability measures (AM) for 
South Atlantic red snapper. The commercial ACL is 102,951 pounds 
(46,698 kilograms), round weight. The commercial AM states that NMFS is 
required to close the commercial sector for red snapper when NMFS 
projects that commercial landings reach or are projected to reach the 
commercial ACL. NMFS projects that the commercial ACL will have been 
reached by August 24, 2026. Accordingly, the commercial sector for 
South Atlantic red snapper is closed from August 24, 2026, through 
December 31, 2026, the end of the current fishing year. Unless NMFS 
specifies otherwise, the commercial season for red snapper in the 2027 
fishing year will begin on the second Monday in July (50 CFR 
622.183(b)(5)(i)).
    The operator of a vessel with a valid commercial vessel permit for 
South Atlantic snapper-grouper with red snapper on board must have 
landed and bartered, traded, or sold such red snapper prior to August 
24, 2026.
    During the commercial closure for South Atlantic red snapper, all 
sale or purchase of red snapper is prohibited. This prohibition on the 
harvest, possession, sale, or purchase of red snapper applies in the 
South Atlantic on a vessel issued a Federal commercial or charter 
vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper, regardless 
if such fish were harvested or possessed in State or Federal waters (50 
CFR 622.181(c)(2) and 622.193(y)(1)).

Classification

    NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR 622.193(y)(1), which was 
issued pursuant to section 304(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and is 
exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive prior 
notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as notice 
and comment are unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Such 
procedures are unnecessary because the rule that established the 
commercial AM for red snapper has already been subject to notice and 
comment, and all that remains is to notify the public of the closure. 
Such procedures are contrary to

[[Page 54247]]

the public interest because of the need to immediately implement this 
action to protect red snapper, because the capacity of the fishing 
fleet allows for rapid harvest of the commercial ACL. Prior notice and 
opportunity for public comment would require time and could potentially 
result in a harvest well in excess of the established commercial ACL.
    For the reasons just stated, there is also good cause to waive the 
30-day delay in the effectiveness of this action under 5 U.S.C. 
553(d)(3).

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: August 19, 2026.
Shannon Bettridge,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-17120 Filed 8-19-26; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


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