NOAAFinal Rule
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of America: 2026 Red Snapper Private Angling Component Closure in Federal Waters off Texas
EnvironmentAgriculture
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Summary
This rule closes red snapper fishing for recreational anglers in federal waters off the Texas coast starting in 2026. The closure is necessary because the red snapper population needs protection to recover, which means people fishing for fun won't be able to catch this fish during the closure period in that area.
Key Points
- 1Recreational fishing for red snapper is banned in federal waters (roughly 9+ miles offshore) off Texas during 2026
- 2The closure is meant to help rebuild the red snapper population, which has been overfished
- 3This affects people who fish for sport or food in the Gulf of Mexico off Texas, but not commercial fishing operations
- 4Anglers can still fish in state waters (closer to shore) where different rules may apply
- 5The closure is part of a management plan to balance fishing opportunities with protecting fish populations for the future
Impact Assessment
If you are a recreational angler in Texas federal waters, this means you will not be able to fish for red snapper during 2026, limiting your fishing opportunities in that region.
Impact Level
Moderate
Geographic Scope
State-specific
Compliance Cost
Minimal
Who is Affected
ConsumersSmall Businesses
Key Dates
Published
December 23, 2025
Regulatory Connections
Amends CFR Sections
50 CFR Part 635
Other Documents in This Rulemaking (NOAA-NMFS-2025-0005)
NOAAAgriculture
Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources of the Gulf of America and Atlantic Region: 2025-2026 Commercial Accountability Measure for the King Mackerel Run-Around Gillnet Fishery
NOAAAgriculture
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of America: Partial Holdback of Commercial Quota for the Other Shallow-Water Grouper Complex
NOAAAgriculture
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of America: Partial Holdback of Commercial Quota for the Deep-Water Grouper Complex
NOAAAgriculture
Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of America: Reopening of the Red Snapper Recreational For-Hire Fishing Season in the Gulf of America
This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.
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