Future of the Catch: The Modernization of Recreational Red Snapper Data Collection

NOAA Fisheries and partners are using innovative methods to modernize Gulf of America recreational red snapper data collection. These projects are working to deliver faster, more efficient science.

Red snapper is a cultural and economic cornerstone for coastal communities in the Gulf of America. The species is a massive driver for tourism and local commerce. For many in the Southeast, red snapper fishing is a multi-generational tradition, making it a flagship species for the world’s largest recreational fishery. Effectively managing and preserving this vibrant species requires more than just accuracy, it demands a swift, responsive flow of data.

Technological advancements are shortening data collection timelines. This means scientists are able to collect larger pools of data, faster than ever, and can quickly analyze results to better inform management decisions. NOAA Fisheries deploys AI-driven video and acoustic monitoring devices to count fish in their natural habitat. We also rely on other key components of the data modernization revolution to improve our data.

In 2025, NOAA Fisheries and the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission announced seven new red snapper data improvement projects. On January 1, 2026, these projects began, marking the beginning of a collaborative, state-federal initiative to improve recreational fishing effort and discard data collection in the Gulf. To see this transformation in action, meet three of the partners redefining how we understand and protect the fishery.

Mississippi State University: From Paper Catch Cards to the disCARD

Mississippi State University is developing and fine-tuning the disCARD—a novel, hybrid catch card. By combining traditional catch cards with modern AI-driven machine image recognition, the project aims to make reporting discards easy, fast, and reliable. The disCARD will be tested in each of the five Gulf states in partnership with marine fisheries management agencies. Discard data will be captured for red snapper, cobia, greater amberjack, and more, depending on the species that are most commonly caught in each of the Gulf states. Scientists will begin testing the disCARD as early as summer 2026.