South Atlantic Red Snapper Fair Access Act of 2026

(a) In general. It is unlawful for any person, for commercial purposes—

(1) to harvest any South Atlantic red snapper from Federal waters during a covered period; or

(2) to sell, purchase, trade, barter, or offer for sale any South Atlantic red snapper harvested from Federal waters during a covered period.

(b) Penalties

(1) In general. An act described in subsection (a) shall be treated as an act described in section 307 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1857) for purposes of sections 308 through 311 of that Act (16 U.S.C. 1858–1860).

(2) Enforcement. The Secretary shall enforce this section as if a violation of subsection (a) were a violation of section 307 of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1857).

(c) Implementation. Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall issue such regulations as are necessary to carry out this section.

(d) Definitions. In this Act:

(1) Covered period. The term covered period means a period during which the recreational harvest of South Atlantic red snapper in Federal waters is prohibited.

(2) Secretary. The term Secretary means the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of the National Marine Fisheries Service.

(3) South Atlantic red snapper. The term South Atlantic red snapper means red snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) subject to management under the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region published by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.