Key facts
- A federal judge blocked a Trump-era plan to relax Atlantic red snapper fishing rules.
- The ruling halts an expanded recreational fishing season.
- The judge faulted states for not providing harvest projections.
- NOAA had issued permits to four states to manage their own seasons.
- The plan was part of the Trump administration's deregulation efforts.
A federal judge in Washington has blocked a Trump-era plan to loosen regulations for Atlantic red snapper fishing, halting what was expected to be the longest recreational season in years. The decision by U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras was based in part on environmental concerns, with estimates suggesting recreational catches could reach up to 485,000 in Florida alone during the expanded season, 20 times the number allowed by federal estimates. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had issued special permits exempting Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina from some legal requirements, allowing seasons ranging from 39 to 62 days with a one-fish limit. This move was part of the Trump administration's broader deregulation efforts. Scientists estimate that about a quarter of released red snapper die, despite techniques to improve survival. Commercial fishermen worry that expanded recreational harvests could deplete the stock, while recreational anglers argue the stock is healthy. The judge also faulted the states for not providing their own harvest projections. The conflict landed in court just before the season was about to begin May 22.