Snapper, Lane

A descending device is required on board all vessels fishing for or possessing snapper and grouper species in federal waters of the South Atlantic. The descending device must be readily available for use and attached to at least 16 ounces of weight and at least 60 feet of line. Get more information at Best Fishing Practices Webpage Must be landed with head and fins intact.

If you are bringing fish back to the U.S. from the Bahamas by water, please see Bringing fish back from the Bahamas.

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Federally Permitted Charter/Headboats:

• If a federally permitted vessel fishing in federal waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in federal waters, the vessel is not allowed to retain that fish.
• If a federally permitted vessel fishing in state waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in federal waters but open in state waters, the vessel is not allowed to retain that species.
• If a federally permitted vessel fishing in federal waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in state waters but open to harvest in federal waters, they may retain that fish if they do not stop to fish in state waters when returning to port. All gear must be stowed.

Federally Permitted Charter/Headboats must have the following on board:

• The 2019 version of the NMFS document titled "Careful Release Protocols for Sea Turtle Release with Minimal Injury" (document may be electronic).
• NMFS sea turtle handling and release guidelines placard
• Required release and handling gears

See Snapper Grouper Sea Turtle and Smalltooth Sawfish Release Gear Requirements for more information.

For more information on management of South Atlantic federal fisheries, please visit SAFMC or NOAA Fisheries.

To see commercial regulations, download Fish Rules Commercial App for iOS devices or Android devices.