What’s Going On with the Red Fish Addendum?
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is currently taking public comment on Draft Addendum II to Amendment 2 of its Red Drum (commonly “redfish”) management plan. This addendum is being developed in response to findings from the 2024 Red Drum Benchmark Stock Assessment, which flagged serious concerns — especially in the southern region — about overfishing and low stock health.
In short: regulators are proposing changes to bag limits, slot sizes, and state-level management flexibility to bring fishing pressure down to sustainable levels, restore the population, and ensure that anglers can still enjoy redfish in the future.
Why It Matters
Biological & Fisheries Risks
The southern stock (roughly South Carolina → east coast Florida) was determined to be overfished and experiencing overfishing.
The northern stock (New Jersey → North Carolina) is not yet overfished, but there is concern about rising fishing mortality. Regulation is less consistent there, and red drum are expanding their range northward, increasing pressure.
Because so much of the harvest is recreational (versus commercial), angler behavior, release mortality, and consistent rules across states are critical.
Current state rules vary widely (bag limits, slot sizes), which complicates enforcement and can create loopholes or unfair advantages.
If the addendum passes (with stricter rules where needed) and is enforced appropriately, it may slow or reverse declines, increase breeding stock, and stabilize the fishery. If not acted on, further declines could reduce angling opportunity, harm local economies (guides, charters, bait shops), and risk long-term collapse in some regions.
What the Addendum Proposes (Big Picture)
Some of the central proposals in Draft Addendum II include:
Mortality limits: States would have maximum allowable fishing mortality levels (i.e. “you can’t exceed this level of catch pressure”) to prevent overfishing.
Recreational bag / slot changes: Especially in northern states, aligning and tightening rules (size limits, number of fish, slot limits) to reduce pressure.
Flexibility and alternative methods: States may propose alternate analyses or management measures outside the formal ASMFC stock‐assessment process, subject to review.
De minimis updates: Adjust rules so that “low‐impact” states aren’t required to carry burdensome measures if their contributions to harvest are negligible.
These are not set in stone — the public comment period is intended to shape which options are adopted.
How You Can Get Involved
This is exactly the kind of process where state residents, anglers, guides, environmental groups, and concerned citizens can make a difference. Here’s how:
Read the draft
Head to ASMFC’s “Red Drum Draft Addendum II” page for the full document, maps, and supporting data.Attend a public hearing
There are scheduled hearings across states (some hybrid). These are your chance to speak (in person or virtually) and present your viewpoint.For example, SC’s hearing is on September 23, 2025
NC’s hearing was rescheduled to September 25, 2025
Submit written comments
You can email or mail comments to ASMFC by October 1, 2025, 11:59 PM EST.Email: comments@asmfc.org (with subject “Red Drum Draft Addendum II”)
Mail: Tracey Bauer, ASMFC, 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200A-N, Arlington, VA 22201
Mobilize your community
Talk with local fishing clubs, charter captains, conservation groups. Share the draft, host information sessions, or help folks prepare comments.Be clear, factual, respectful
In your comment or testimony, reference the science (e.g. assessment results), express your preferences (which options you support or oppose), and share local observations (e.g. “I used to see many redfish bigger than X in this region; now I rarely do”). That grounded approach often carries weight.
Why It’s Important — Beyond Just One Fish
Red drum are iconic in coastal fishing culture — they support recreational fisheries, guides, local economies, and community traditions.
Sustainable management ensures that future generations can still enjoy fishing, not just now but decades from now.
Because so much of the harvest is recreational, this is a case where fisherfolk have outsized influence compared to commercial sectors — your voice matters.
It’s also a test case for how well states can cooperate on shared resources, adapt regulation based on science, and use modern tools (alternate analyses) to respond more flexibly in the future.