NEW ORLEANS (AP) - One of the most popular fish in the Gulf of Mexico are the biggest and most plentiful in years, but the federal recreational season for red snapper keeps getting shorter. Governors of four Gulf Coast states want management turned over to states.
The federal recreational season starts June 1 for 9 days off Louisiana, 12 days off Texas, 21 days off Florida and 28 days off Mississippi and Alabama.
A federal fisheries official says season lengths must account for fish caught in state waters. State seasons range from year-round to 28 days. On Tuesday, NOAA Fisheries rejected a request to change the seasons in federal waters.
