Division of Marine Fisheries researchers are asking recreational anglers to donate carcasses of the red snappers they caught during this year’s two-day season.
The data collected on the federally managed species will be provided to the National Marine Fisheries Service for use in future red snapper stock assessments.
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The recreational red snapper season officially opens at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 11, and closes at 11:59 p.m. Saturday, July 12. Anglers may keep one fish per person, per day. There is no size limit. Captain and crew on for-hire vessels may retain the recreational bag limit.
The red snapper seasons comply with the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region.
Anglers can drop off their carcasses at the following year-round donation locations:
- Cape Pointe Marina, Harkers Island.
- Frisco Rod & Gun, Frisco.
- Jennette’s Pier, Nags Head.
- Eastside Bait & Tackle, Washington.
- N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Wilmington Regional Office.
- Tex’s Tackle, Wilmington.
- Clem’s Seafood, Southport.
- N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Headquarters, Morehead City.
The division has set up the following temporary donation locations for the mini-season to collect carcasses:
- Bridge Tender Marina, 1418 Airlie Road, Wilmington.
- Carolina Beach Municipal Docks, 1 Carl Winner Drive, Carolina Beach.
- Capt. Stacy Fishing Center, 416 Atlantic Beach Causeway, Atlantic Beach.
- Carolina Princess Headboat Dock, 604 Evans St., Morehead City.
- Pelagic Hunter, 104 James St., Sneads Ferry.
Fisheries researchers ask that the head and tail remain intact and, if possible, the guts and reproductive organs. Anglers who fished on a charter boat or head boat should let the fish cleaner know the carcass will be donated.
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Division biologists will measure the fish, determine the sex when possible, and remove the ear bones to determine age.
Recreational anglers who donate their red snapper fish carcass and complete the required catch-card will receive an inverted hook-descending device provided through a donation from South Atlantic Sea Grant, and be entered into a drawing to win one of three SeaQualizer descending devices.
Catch-cards and donation supplies are at each donation site, and anglers must complete the entire catch-card legibly and honestly to be eligible for the drawing.
Recreational anglers may log information about their trips through the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Release app available at the Google Play and Apple App stores or through the council’s release website. Reports of the number of harvested and released fish will improve the accuracy of National Marine Fisheries Service’s catch estimates.
Gear regulations implemented in previous years for commercial, for-hire, and recreational snapper-grouper fishing remain in effect. A best fishing practices guide is available online.
The commercial red snapper season will open July 14, with a 75-pound gutted weight trip limit, and will close at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1, 2026, 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.
Read more about North Carolina’s carcass collection program online, or contact Amanda Macek, division sportfishing specialist, at 252-515-5537 or amanda.macek@deq.nc.gov.
