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HR 9933

South Atlantic Red Snapper Fair Access Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Austin Scott

Prohibits commercial harvest, sale, or trade of South Atlantic red snapper in Federal waters during a defined covered period when recreational harvest is restricted.

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9933

Overview

HR 9933, the South Atlantic Red Snapper Fair Access Act of 2026, seeks to restrict commercial activity involving South Atlantic red snapper during designated periods in Federal waters. The bill aims to address perceived inequities between recreational and commercial access by prohibiting commercial harvest, sale, purchase, trade, or offering for sale of South Atlantic red snapper during a defined “covered period,” with enforcement provisions and regulatory timelines.

Purpose and intent

  • Create a temporary prohibition on commercial activity related to South Atlantic red snapper in Federal waters during specific periods when recreational harvest is restricted.
  • Align management of the species with concerns about access fairness between recreational and commercial sectors.
  • Establish a framework for implementing the prohibition through regulations by the Secretary of Commerce (via the National Marine Fisheries Service).

Key provisions and changes

  • Prohibition (section a):
    • It is unlawful for any person to harvest South Atlantic red snapper from Federal waters for commercial purposes during a covered period.
    • It is unlawful to sell, purchase, trade, barter, or offer for sale any South Atlantic red snapper harvested from Federal waters during a covered period.
  • Penalties and enforcement (section b):
    • Violations are treated under the Magnuson-Stevens Act similarly to other violations described in section 307, enabling existing enforcement mechanisms to apply.
    • The Secretary is responsible for enforcing this section as if a violation of section 307.
  • Implementation timeline (section c):
    • The Secretary must issue regulations to carry out the act within 90 days of enactment.
  • Definitions (section d):
    • Covered period: The time frame during which recreational harvest of South Atlantic red snapper in Federal waters is prohibited.
    • Secretary: The Secretary of Commerce, acting through the NMFS Director.
    • South Atlantic red snapper: Red snapper managed under the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.

Who would be affected

  • Commercial participants in the South Atlantic red snapper fishery harvesting in Federal waters during the covered period (including operators, suppliers, and traders) would be restricted from harvesting and from selling the fish harvested during that period.
  • Recreational fishers are not directly regulated by this act, but the measure references the linked context of recreational harvest restrictions during the covered period.
  • Government agencies (Department of Commerce/NMFS) would be responsible for implementing and enforcing the regulations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral: Introduced in the House and referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources (July 23, 2026).
  • Regulatory timeline: Requires NMFS to issue necessary regulations within 90 days after enactment.
  • Interaction with ongoing litigation: The findings reference prior state-led exempted fishing permit pilot programs that were halted by a DC District Court injunction, illustrating a background of legal and administrative complexity around access and data collection for South Atlantic red snapper management.

Potential implications

  • Short-term impact on commercial harvest and sales during the covered period, potentially shifting pressure toward recreational sectors or other dates.
  • Possible effects on supply chains, fish markets, tackle retailers, and related coastal businesses if the covered period coincides with high demand.
  • The act provides a clear enforcement pathway under the Magnuson-Stevens framework, but the exact duration and timing of the covered period would be defined in the implementing regulations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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