What the New Saltwater Angling Executive Order Means for Florida Deep Drop Anglers
Published September 19, 2026. We’ll update this page as NOAA and the fishery councils act.
On September 17, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order called “Restoring American Saltwater Angling and Recreation.” Most of it is about data, permits and access. A few parts touch deep drop fishing directly. Here is what it says and what it doesn’t.
What it does not change
The order does not change any bag limit, season or size limit. It tells federal agencies to review rules and start work by set deadlines. Real changes will come later through NOAA and the fishery councils. For deep drop species in Atlantic federal waters, that means the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Until then, keep following current FWC and federal rules. Our grouper fishing guide covers the basics.
Sharks and lost fish
If you deep drop, you know the pain of fighting a fish up from 800 feet and losing it to a shark near the surface. The order sets up an Interagency Shark and Pinniped Depredation Task Force. It also gives NOAA 90 days to create a “Real-Time Depredation Reporting” protocol, built into mobile reporting apps so lost-fish events can be mapped. NOAA is also told to give grant priority to partnerships with charter captains and angling groups.
Separately, the order directs agencies to work on removing barriers to sustainable shark fisheries. Expect debate on that part.
How catch is counted
NOAA must review its mail-in recreational surveys, which could be phased out. It must also build standard mobile apps for mandatory and voluntary electronic reporting by anglers and for-hire operators. If federal data for a fishery is too imprecise and a state has more accurate data, NOAA must consider using the state’s numbers. Florida runs its own recreational surveys, so this could matter here.
Charter boats
Agencies must evaluate multi-year permits of at least three years with a presumption of renewal. They may limit that to operators “in good standing,” which could include full compliance with the new electronic catch reporting. A single joint permit portal is targeted within a year.
Dates to watch
- About October 17: agencies begin suspending, revising or rescinding rules that burden anglers and boaters
- About December 16: depredation reporting protocol due
- About March 16, 2027: NOAA reviews fishery science guidelines and delivers a five-year plan for recreational economic data
What deep drop anglers can do now
- Keep good records of your trips, depths and catches. Electronic reporting is likely coming.
- Track shark losses. Note the depth, the spot and how many fish you lose.
- Watch for public comment periods and send in your experience.
- Rig for speed. Faster retrieval means fewer lost fish. See our most popular deep drop rigs and electric reel review.
Read the full executive order on whitehouse.gov. Want to fish deep with a crew that knows the water? Book a trip.