Public Hearing on Red Drum Management Set for Sept. 24

Brunswick, Ga.
A smiling child in a green shirt and shorts proudly holds a freshly caught red drum fish with the help of an adult behind him on a boat. The adult, wearing sunglasses and a cap, steadies the fish while kneeling. The background shows calm coastal waters and clear blue sky on a sunny day. Provided photo/CRD.

Key Takeaways:

  • Purpose: Atlantic coastal states are gathering public input on a new draft addendum to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Red Drum.
  • Management: Red Drum are managed cooperatively through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).
  • Reason for Addendum: 2024 stock assessment found the southern Red Drum stock is overfished and experiencing overfishing ↗.
  • Proposed Changes:
    • Two fishing mortality limits that states may not exceed.
    • A process for states to propose management measures when stock status changes.
  • Georgia In-Person Hearing:
  • Other Participation Options: Attend any ASMFC virtual or hybrid hearings.
  • Georgia-Specific Discussion:
    • CRD will present possible management options to meet addendum requirements.
    • Informational only — no final decisions or responses at this meeting.

News Release:

Date and Hearing FormatState/AgencyContact
Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025
In-Person Hearing
6 to 8 p.m.		Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Sapelo Saltwater Fishing Club
3576 Old Shellman Road, Townsend, GA		Doug Haymans
Director, Coastal Resources Division
912-266-0247

The Atlantic coastal states have scheduled hearings to gather public input on a new draft addendum to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Red Drum. Red Drum are managed cooperatively through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).  

The draft addendum includes several proposed changes in response to the 2024 Red Drum stock assessment which found the southern Red Drum stock to be overfished and experiencing overfishing. These include two fishing mortality options states may not exceed in order to end overfishing, and a process for states to propose management measures in response to changes in stock status.  

Georgia’s hearing will be held in-person from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24 at the Sapelo Saltwater Fishing Club at 3576 Old Shellman Road, Townsend, GA. If you are unable to attend the in-person hearing, you are welcome to participate in any of the other ASMFC virtual or hybrid hearings ↗. For details visit the ASFMC's "States Schedule Public Hearings on Red Drum Draft Addendum II" webpage ↗. Written comments can be submitted at the ASFMC's public comment submission page ↗.

Following the ASMFC presentation, the Coastal Resources Division (CRD) will discuss Georgia-specific Red Drum management options available to meet the requirements of the addendum. This portion of the meeting will be for informational purposes only. Responses to new rules will be discussed at a future date.

Additional Resources: