Red snapper season extended due to Hermine

Pointing to a lost weekend of fishing because of Hurricane Hermine, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has approved a seven-day extension of the red-snapper season in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

The extension, requested by Gov. Rick Scott, will extend the season into November, with the new dates Nov. 5, Nov. 6, Nov. 11, Nov. 12, Nov. 25, Nov. 26 and Nov. 27. The season was expected to be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through October, according to a news release from the commission.

"Communities across Florida's Gulf Coast rely on the economic benefit provided by Florida's 78-day red snapper season," Scott said in a prepared statement. "Because of weather conditions caused by Hurricane Hermine, Florida anglers were unable to enjoy an essential weekend of this important season."

Hermine traveled up the Gulf and made landfall early last Friday in Wakulla County.