Red Drum Management Public Meeting

Purpose of the Meeting 

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is holding a public hearing from 6 - 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, to discuss Draft Addendum II to the Interstate Red Drum Fishery Management Plan, with a focus on how new management options could help rebuild the southern red drum stock. Georgia anglers are encouraged to participate and learn how proposed changes may affect fishing along our coast. The meeting will be livestreamed via YouTube on this webpage.

Livestream Video

The video will begin at 5:45 p.m., 15 minutes prior to the meeting's start at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025. Official public comment is not accepted via YouTube and must be made directly to the ASMFC by clicking here.

Information for Georgia Anglers

Background for Georgia Anglers

The ASMFC's 2024 benchmark stock assessment found that the southern stock of red drum (South Carolina through Florida) is both overfished and experiencing overfishing. This means there are too few spawning adults in the population and that current fishing pressure is unsustainable.

Georgia, like South Carolina and Florida, manages red drum as a gamefish only with no commercial harvest allowed. Thus, recreational fishing accounts for all legal removals, and the assessment showed declining spawning stock biomass and reduced recruitment of young fish in recent years.

Potential Impacts in Georgia

Draft Addendum II would create a process for states like Georgia to respond quickly to new science by adjusting regulations such as bag limits or slot sizes. While no specific changes to Georgia’s current 14–23 inch slot and 5-fish bag limit are proposed yet, stricter measures could be required if fishing mortality must be reduced to rebuild the stock. For anglers, this could mean fewer fish kept in the cooler today in exchange for healthier, more abundant red drum in the future.

What Comes Next

ASMFC will review public comments, including those from Georgia, and decide in October 2025 which measures to adopt. Any new requirements could then be implemented by Georgia and other southern states. Any regulatory changes in Georgia would be made by the Georgia Board of Natural Resources following additional public comment opportunities. The goal is to rebuild the red drum population, protect spawning adults, and ensure sustainable fishing opportunities for generations of Georgia anglers.

Potential Outcomes

After reviewing public input, ASMFC’s management board will decide this fall on which measures to adopt. Outcomes could include:

  • New coastwide thresholds for fishing mortality.
  • Adjusted recreational catch limits.
  • A clearer process for states to propose regulation changes in response to new data.

How to Participate

Watch the hearing live here and consider submitting written comments by the Oct. 1, 2025 deadline to ensure Georgia’s voice is heard.

Additional Resources