Source: NCDENR, 6/22/21 The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries will
collect red snapper carcasses from recreational fishermen during the upcoming
red snapper-mini season.
The division has set up four temporary freezer locations, in addition to the
eight carcass collection locations available throughout the year, where
recreational fishermen can take their red snapper carcasses. The temporary locations are: =
Bridge Tender Marina, Wrightsville Beach =
Carolina Beach Municipal Docks =
Capt. Stacy Fishing Center, Atlantic Beach =
Carolina Princess Headboat Dock, Morehead City
The year-round locations are (map available here): =
Cape Pointe Marina, Harkers Island =
East Side Bait and Tackle, Washington =
Frisco Rod & Gun, Frisco =
Jennette’s Pier, Nags Head =
Sea View Crab Company, Wilmington =
Tex’s Tackle, Wilmington =
NC Division of Marine Fisheries Headquarters, Morehead City =
Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point- Environmental Affairs
Office (available only to those with military base access)
Anglers who donate a red snapper carcass will receive a citation
(certificate) from the N.C. Saltwater Fishing Tournament.
When cleaning the fish, anglers should leave the head and tail intact and, if
possible, leave the guts in the fish. Anglers who fished on a charter boat or
head boat should let the fish cleaner know the carcass will be donated.
Instructions on how to deposit the carcasses are posted on each freezer.
Anglers will be asked to give information related to how and when the fish was
caught. Fishermen also will be asked for their names and addresses if they wish
to receive a citation.
Division biologists will measure the fish, determine the sex, if possible, and
remove the otoliths (ear bones) to determine the age of the fish. The
information collected will be provided to the National Marine Fisheries Service
for use in future red snapper stock assessments.
Recreational anglers also may log information about their recreational trips
and catches through the MyFishCount electronic reporting mobile app. The app is
available for free download at the Google Play and Apple App Store or through
the MyFishCount website. Reports of the number of harvested and released fish will improve the accuracy of National Marine Fisheries Service’s catch estimates.
The 2021 recreational red snapper season will open for three days – Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – July 9-11. The season officially opens at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 9 and closes at 12:01 a.m. on Monday July 12.
Anglers may keep one fish per person per day. There will be no minimum or
maximum size limit. Captain and crew on for-hire vessels may retain the
recreational bag limit.
The commercial red snapper season will open at 12:01 a.m. July 12 with a
75-pound gutted weight trip limit. It will close at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1, 222 or
when the commercial quota is met (whichever comes first). Division biologists
will obtain data from commercially caught red snapper at the fish houses.
Commercially caught carcasses should not be left in the Carcass Collection
Program freezers.
Gear regulations implemented last year for commercial, for-hire, and
recreational snapper-grouper fishing remain in effect. The regulations require: =
A descending device be on board and readily available for use
while fishing for or possessing snapper-grouper species; and, =
Use of non-offset (also called inline), non-stainless-steel
circle hooks when fishing for or possessing snapper-grouper species with
hook-and-line gear and natural baits, regardless of tackle or lure configuration. A non-offset circle hook is a hook with the point directed
perpendicular back towards the shank, with the point and barb in the same plane
as the shank (see diagrams). Offset circle hooks and stainless-steel
circle hooks are not allowed for snapper grouper fishing. For specific recreational harvest regulations, go to Proclamation FF-36-2021. For specific
commercial harvest regulations, go to Proclamation FF-37-2021.
Read the NOAA Fisheries announcement of the red snapper season here.
More information on best fishing practices, including how-to videos for rigging
descending devices, can be found here.
Read more about North Carolina’s red snapper carcass collection program here, or, for more information, contact Carole
Willis, division sportfishing specialist, at 252-808-8081 or carole.y.willis@ncdenr.gov.
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