Gulf fish population of reef fish is growing prior to the 2025 red snapper season according to the University of South Alabama’s yearly fish survey.
Scientists with the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences have recently completed their yearly report to Alabama Marine Resources Division management on fish stock health in the area around more than 10,000 artificial reefs off the coast of Alabama. Although red snapper are smaller, on average, than some years in the time series, red snapper abundance is higher than at any recent year.
The survey entails using an underwater remotely operated vehicle equipped with a camera to venture out and capture photos of fish moving in Gulf waters to help gauge the population. In 2024, they realized the highest value of red snapper ever since the survey began in 2011.
The study entailed deploying an underwater remotely operated vehicle with a camera to obtain photos of fish swimming in Gulf waters to aid in population estimation. Coupled with bottom habitat mapping to estimate the coverage of artificial and natural reefs, the information allows USA scientists to estimate size and trends in population.
“We have a healthy red snapper fishery in our region of the Gulf,” said Dr. Sean Powers, director of the Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences. “We have science and management to match fishermen’s needs for a variety of fishermen.”
The 2025 red snapper season will be available to private and state-licensed charter vessel anglers on Friday, May 23. It will be open seven days a week until June 30. It will then convert to four-day weekends starting July 4 until the private angler quota is met. The 2025 Alabama private angler quota is decided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries and is anticipated to be 664,552 pounds.
“Alabama is blessed with remarkable fishery resources,” Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Blankenship said. “Our partnership with the University of South Alabama to provide cutting edge-based fishery science, as well as long-term data collection, is critical to assisting us in making informed decisions.”
Red snapper bag limit is two red snappers per person, per day minimum of 16 inches.
Fishermen aged 16 and above need to possess an Alabama saltwater fishing license (annual or trip, resident or non-resident), and any Alabama resident aged 65 or above or a lifetime saltwater license permittee should carry a valid saltwater angler registration.
Participation in this research was supported in part by the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program, Office of Conservation Investment through a series of grant awards made available through the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Marine Resources Division, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and Alabama saltwater anglers through their Reef Fish purchase.