Georgia’s coast is home to some of the finest recreational fishing in the country, and this week, we received welcome news for the anglers, charter captains, and coastal businesses that depend on access to our fisheries.

NOAA Fisheries announced an additional recreational red snapper fishing opportunity in the South Atlantic, along with new exempted fishing permits for Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina.

For too long, our recreational fishing community has faced extremely limited opportunities to harvest red snapper, despite the importance of this fishery to our coastal economy and way of life.

Under the new announcement, the regular federal recreational season will run October 9–11, one day longer than last year. Additionally, Georgia has received a special permit allowing eligible, registered anglers and charter operators with permits to participate in an extended season from October 12–22. 

I have been proud to work alongside Congressman John Rutherford of Florida and our coastal colleagues to advocate for greater recreational fishing opportunities and a management approach that recognizes the needs of our fishing communities.

This announcement is an important step toward giving our anglers more time on the water while allowing states to collect better data and help ensure the long-term sustainability of our fisheries.

For coastal Georgia, this is about more than fishing. It is about supporting our charter captains, marinas, bait and tackle shops, and the families whose livelihoods are connected to our waters.

I will continue working to ensure Georgia's fishermen have a voice in Washington and that our coastal communities have the opportunities they deserve.

On this week's edition of Buddy's Briefing, we’re highlighting the ongoing crackdown on fraud, efforts to protect taxpayer dollars, and the importance of accountability in federal programs.

When I visited Ghana earlier this year, I had the opportunity to meet Zachary V., a fellow Georgian serving his country abroad as a Peace Corps Volunteer.

Since our visit, Zachary has been hard at work making a difference in the community he serves. He recently completed a project to mechanize his school's borehole, providing students with reliable access to clean water for drinking and handwashing throughout the school day.

Now, Zachary and the community are working on their next project: improving the school's canteen to provide students with a safer and more sanitary place for meals to be prepared and served.

I'm proud to see Georgians like Zachary carrying our state's spirit of service around the world, and I wanted to share an update on the important work he and his community are doing in Ghana.

Learn more about Zachary's project and how you can support it through the Peace Corps Partnership Program here.

The small town of Ashburn, Georgia, hosts an annual Fire Ant Festival featuring one of the most unusual competitions in the South: a fire ant calling contest! The festival has been a local tradition for 30 years, bringing the community together with food, entertainment, and plenty of small-town charm.