Gov. Robert Bentley says Alabama state waters will be open to fishing for red snapper and gray triggerfish every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in July.
Bentley said Thursday that the extra fishing days will be good for the Gulf coast economy.
The federal red snapper season was only nine days. Alabama's director of marine resources, Chris Blankenship, says state officials believe there are still enough red snapper in Alabama waters to open an additional season. The minimum size for snapper will be 16 inches total length.
Alabama law extends state waters to nine miles offshore for fisheries management. The federal government only recognizes three miles. State officials say fishermen possessing red snapper and gray triggerfish between three miles and nine miles offshore could get a federal citation.
