The Commission is considering changes to state regulations that would modify the recreational harvest season for red snapper in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The season would first open for Saturdays and Sundays in May starting the first Saturday in May (May 6 for 2017). The season would open each day of the week beginning the Saturday before Memorial Day (May 27 for 2017) through the Sunday following July 4. Finally, the season would reopen for Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays in September and October including Labor Day (Monday, September 4 in 2017). The purpose of this rule is to maintain recreational red snapper fishing opportunities in Gulf state waters. The effect of this rule amendment is to balance the economic and social needs of Florida’s recreational anglers with the conservation needs of red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. Federal season lengths have been decreasing since 2008 resulting in decreased red snapper fishing opportunities throughout the Gulf. The 2017 recreational red snapper season for private anglers in Gulf federal waters has not yet been announced, but is not expected to be longer than last year’s 9-day season. At the February 2017 meeting, the Commission proposed a Gulf state waters season similar to the state season structure in 2016.