Gov. Ron DeSantis is again pushing for the state to gain control of red snapper management from the feds to give fishermen a longer season in the Atlantic Ocean.

DeSantis announced that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has submitted an exempted fishing permit (EFP) to the U.S. Department of Commerce to allow Florida manage the recreational red snapper fishing season in the Atlantic starting in 2026.

The state wants a 39-day recreational fishing season in the Atlantic for anglers and for-hire operators, DeSantis said.

At a press conference in Fernandina Beach , DeSantis said he was confident the permit will be granted and “warmly received.”

“I’ve spoken both with President ( Donald ) Trump as well as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick , and

See Full Page