Dr. Bob Shipp of Alabama, the Council’s Reef Fish Committee Chairman, leads discussion on Amendment 28. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
Article Compiled from News Sources
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council voted on the hotly contested Amendment 28, taking red snapper quota from the commercial fishery harvest and allocating it to recreational sector. It also rescinded a plan requiring charter captains fishing in federal waters to abide by federal rules.
The Gulf Council action rewards the recreational sector’s attempt to keep seasons open longer, a move that NOAA is not likely to accept, at least in entirety.
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council has voted on the hotly contested Amendment 28, taking red snapper quota from the commercial fishery harvest and allocating it to the recreational sector. It has also rescinded a plan requiring charter captains fishing in federal waters to abide by federal rules. Photo: Bubba Cochrane
A National Marine Fisheries Service analysis shows reserving 75% of all snapper quota over 9.12 million pounds for recreational fishermen will extend the recreational season by a few days, and within five years be back to even shorter seasons.
As a result of the vote, in 2015 500,000 lbs. of the 11-million pound quota will be shifted to the recreational sector. The current 51/49 percent commercial/recreational split will be reduced to 47/53 percent; the commercial sector losing 8% of their catch.
Recreational fishing interests have long lobbied for more resources exclusively for their own use.
Currently a large majority of fish sought after by both professional fishermen and sport fishermen are already reserved for sport fishing.
Red drum, a Gulf fish that rose to national prominence on the coattails of Paul Proudhomme, is now designated a game fish only, and no longer commercially available.
In a letter to the Gulf Council, Stan Harris, CEO of the Louisiana Restaurant Association and a Gulf Seafood Institute board member, opposed its passage of Amendment 28. Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
Gulf Red Snapper does not stand alone in the sights of recreational interests, Gulf Grouper is also on the the target list. Sport fishermen in the Gulf are currently allocated almost 100% of redfish –Mississippi still allows a commercial catch of 35,000 lbs, 68% of king mackerel, 73% of amberjack, 100% of billfish, 90% of Mahi-mahi and 61% of gag grouper.
In New England, charter and recreational groups are trying to end commercial fishing for striped bass, a popular local fish at restaurants. And in Alaska, Anchorage charter captains and recreational fishermen are trying to restrict the commercial catch of sockeye and king salmon in Cook Inlet.
Amendment 28 was opposed by the restaurant associations of all five Gulf States. In a letter to the Gulf Council, Stan Harris, CEO of the Louisiana Restaurant Association and a Gulf Seafood Institute board member, opposed its passage.
“The commercial fishermen are the lifeline for our restaurants, seafood dealers and retail stores. In Louisiana it is not simply the methods that we use to prepare seafood and fish that differentiates our restaurants from the rest of the country. It is also the unique Gulf fish species that we prepare. Access to red snapper and other Gulf seafood is critical to sustaining our industry,” said Harris, whose industry is the state’s largest employer with revenue surpassing $7 billion.
Some corrections needed in this Op-Ed. The Commercial did not loose anything. They actually gained pounds in this decision. The only thing changed is future allocation. Additionally if you read this article, you would be led to believe that the Recreational sector gets most of the US fish caught. Here is a FACT: 98% of all fish caught in the US in pounds is caught Commercially, whereas only 2% is caught by the recreational sector. Who already gets the Lions share? BTW….That 2% caught recreationally creates more economic impact than the 98% commercially caught. Gulf reef Fish economic impact is some 100 times more per pound of recreational fish caught than commercially caught. Seems the communities are MUCH better off as a result of recreational catch’s. But, wasn’t it the commercial group along with EDF that sued to stop the recreation sector, the family level angler, from getting better access to their resource?
thanks ed keep up the great work