Gulf Council votes to ease red snapper overage paybacks for the Gulf states

At its meeting in Galveston last week, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council voted to change how Gulf states pay back recreational red snapper overages, the Louisiana Illuminator reported Nov. 2.

Under the change, a state would have to pay back an overage only if it went over its allocation by more than 10 percent, went over twice in three years, or went over in a year when the Gulf-wide catch limit was also exceeded. Council chair Kesley Banks pointed out that state catch estimates have a margin of error.

The proposal now goes to the Commerce Department, followed by a public comment period of about 16 to 30 days. The Illuminator says the full process usually takes 7 to 10 months, so new rules would likely arrive around mid-2027.

Photo: NOAA file photo of red snapper, as it ran with the Louisiana Illuminator's story. Credit: NOAA, via Louisiana Illuminator.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: Louisiana Illuminator: Gulf Coast states could get more flexibility to manage red snapper limits (Elise Plunk, Nov. 2, 2026).