PONCE INLET, Fla. \u2013 Fishing charters and anglers along Florida\u2019s coast are celebrating the first step in a big win in the long battle over Atlantic red snapper season. For years, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has kept Florida\u2019s Atlantic red snapper season very limited \u2014 sometimes just two days or none at all.<\/p>\n
Now, Florida is poised to take control and expand the season, hoping to boost the local economy.<\/p>\n
Florida\u2019s season could be over a month long if this plan goes through. Charter companies in Ponce Inlet say it would change the economy there.<\/p>\n
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It\u2019s not official yet, but this is the first green light in an almost two-decade-long fight, and the decision will be made soon.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve seen over the past several years we\u2019ve experienced everything from no season at all to these mini seasons that are sometimes one, possibly two days,\u201d Haley Stephens said.<\/p>\n
Stephens, owner of Sea Spirit Deep Fishing Charter, has been helping track Atlantic red snapper stock off Volusia\u2019s coast. She\u2019s pushing for the state to take over the season, saying the current mini-season model isn\u2019t working.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re all going fishing on the same day. That creates safety challenges,\u201d Stephens said.<\/p>\n
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Stephens also believes NOAA\u2019s data is outdated. The federal limits started in 2008 when stocks were low, but she says that\u2019s changed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe states have come together, the fishermen have come together to say,\u2019 Hey, what we\u2019re seeing on the water isn\u2019t reflective of the current management,\u2019\u201d Stephens said.<\/p>\n
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday that NOAA is now taking public comments for 25 days before making a final call. If approved, Southeast states could set their own seasons.<\/p>\n
Florida\u2019s plan? A 39-day season from Memorial Day to the end of June, plus three fall weekends \u2014 a big boost for local businesses.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would be huge for businesses not only like my charter boat, but we would see our coastal economies benefit from it from the fuel docks, the tackle shops, the restaurants,\u201d Stephens said.<\/p>\n
Once comments close, NOAA will review the data and decide. This change would only affect charters and recreational fishing \u2014 commercial fishing would stay under federal rules.<\/p>\n
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