Momentum for meaningful reform in marine fisheries continues to build across the South Atlantic and on Capitol Hill.
Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina applied for Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) to take a more active role in managing their South Atlantic red snapper seasons. Their approaches are suited to their states, and we applaud their core goals: expanded access to a healthy public resource based on real-time data; improved reporting, and modern management that is responsive to what is actually happening on the water.
For too long, anglers there have lived under zero, one- or two-day federal seasons that simply don’t match reality. The states’ willingness to break with failed federal management and partner with each other is real progress. Federalism works.
Meanwhile, Congress is preparing to markup legislation this week to modernize the Endangered Species Act. For decades, litigation and broad interpretations reflected in agency regulations and guidance have stretched ESA far beyond what the Congress intended. That is how we ended up with misguided, overly broad and costly proposed and actual mandates like the Vessel Speed Restriction rule. This markup matters because it’s a chance to bring ESA back to its core purpose: protecting endangered species through sound science, not litigation and regulatory overreach.
We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas, and we look forward to working with you in 2026!
