The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has announced the opening of the application period for Quarter 3 of its Atlantic Red Snapper Exempted Fishing Permits Project. Starting January 3, applications will be accepted for ten days, closing on January 13. This is the third opportunity out of four for obtaining an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP), with the final round scheduled for April 2025.
Interested participants can apply through GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, where selection will occur via a lottery system. A video tutorial on how to apply is available at MyFWC.com/AtlanticEFP by clicking on the “FWC Hot Spot Fleet” button.
Applicants interested in joining the FWC Study Fleet must complete an online application form. These applications will be reviewed based on specific criteria, and participants will be chosen by FWC staff.
In 2024, NOAA Fisheries awarded three EFPs to FWC to conduct studies aimed at collaborating with anglers, reducing red snapper discards, increasing harvest opportunities, and enhancing angler satisfaction. EFPs allow harvesting under conditions typically prohibited by federal regulations. "The FWC recognizes that an increasingly short federal Atlantic red snapper season is disappointing; however, in these studies, some participants will be selected to catch (and keep) red snapper during a time that works for you!"
These studies are conducted off Florida’s east coast from the Florida/Georgia line south to the Dry Tortugas. The FWC Study Fleet and FWC Hot Spot Fleet operate from the Florida/Georgia line to Cape Canaveral's NASA Assembly building. The Southeast Florida Snapper Grouper Fleet study runs from Cape Canaveral southward to the Dry Tortugas. Each study focuses on testing aggregate snapper-grouper bag limits to reduce discards and improve reporting through an app while evaluating angler satisfaction compared to those adhering strictly to federal rules.
"The FWC is incredibly excited to offer this unique opportunity to Florida’s saltwater anglers," said a spokesperson from FWC. They encourage participation as it could significantly enhance fisheries management in the South Atlantic region.
For further inquiries, contact the Division of Marine Fisheries Management at 850-487-0554.