The Gulf Red Snapper Data Improvement Act recently introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Jolly will allow for third-party data collection of fish populations to be used for federal stock assessments, which could ultimately lead to longer red snapper fishing seasons for the recreational sectors. Photo: Captain Troy Frady/Distraction Charters
by Ed Lallo/Gulf Seafood News Editor
One of the largest issues both commercial and recreational fishers face is getting both fishermen and regulators to have faith in the data, especially when in comes to Gulf of Mexico reef fish. Recently introduced legislation by Congressman David Jolly of Florida will hopefully lead to a more accurate count of red snapper and other reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Gulf Red Snapper Data Improvement Act recently introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Jolly will allow for third-party data collection of fish populations to be used for federal stock assessments, which could ultimately lead to longer red snapper fishing seasons for the recreational sectors.
“Nobody trusts the data anymore,” said Dr. Bill Hogarth, Director of the Florida Institute of Oceanography and a Board member of the Gulf Seafood Institute. “Fishermen are on the water everyday and they see what is happening. When you are doing a stock assessment now, you are working with data that is at least two years old.” Photo: Ed Lallo/Newsroom Ink
“Nobody trusts the data anymore,” said Dr. Bill Hogarth, Director of the Florida Institute of Oceanography and a Board member of the Gulf Seafood Institute. “Fishermen are on the water everyday and they see what is happening. When you are doing a stock assessment now, you are working with data that is at least two years old. Things change. We have to get more real time data, and this legislation is a good start.”
Rep. Jolly’s bill designates $10 million annually for third-party data collection of Gulf Red Snapper and other Gulf reef species. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Southeast Regional Office located in St. Petersburg, Florida would manage the data collection program. A member of the powerful House Committee on Appropriations, Jolly was able to secure similar language in the fiscal year 2016 House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Bill earlier this year.
The Florida Congressman worked with a committee comprised of both commercial and recreational fishermen, businessmen and academia. According to Dr. Hogarth, who served on the committee, the panel of fishing aficionados discussed numerous issues.
“Some of the issues we discussed were opening the stock assessment process by establishing a stock assessment center here in St. Petersburg comprised of representatives from all five Gulf states, federal management, academia, and both recreational and commercial fishermen,” explained Dr. Hogarth. “This group would focus strictly on Gulf fisheries. Working together with fishery experts, fishermen could become an important resource in trends and studies of the fisheries.”
Dr. Hogarth explained Rep. Jolly has always had a great interest in fisheries and finding solutions to fishery problems.
Congressmen Jolly’s bill would make available $10 million a year available in grants for Gulf research for Red Snapper and Grouper. Photo: Ariel Seafood
The Florida marine fisheries expert is convinced it is time to explore different ways to do stock assessments to get more real time data, like the use of towed cameras and acoustics. He said a pilot project done in cooperation with NMFS using towed cameras showed promise. The problem of getting an accurate fish count using the system is a still a major stumbling block.
“Congressmen Jolly’s bill would make available $10 million a year available in grants for Gulf research for Red Snapper and Grouper,” he explained. “Currently under the bill, NMFS would manage the research, but ideally we would like to see it independent. Basically this would be a pot of money that could be used to quickly address important issues trending within industry. I see this as an avenue to get cooperative research by all parties all involved.”
Congress can no longer manage fisheries, according to Dr. Hogarth. The long time period to pass a law, and even longer time period to undo it, are stumbling blocks for the legislators. “Congress gives us the tools, the Magnuson Stevens act is a good tool. I see a buy in to Jolly’s bill by all groups involved because they will be part of the data collection process. We have to have this buy in by everyone to trust the data,” he said.
“Many in the fishing community, from private anglers, to charter, to commercial, have questioned the government’s stock assessments. My bill will give each of them a seat at the table,” Rep. Jolly told Gulf Seafood News. “Third-party data collection will expand the information available to the government, particularly Red Snapper, and improve the data used to determine fishing seasons.”
INNOVATIVE APPROACHES
The Gulf Red Snapper Data Improvement Act calls for the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Regional Office, to award competitive grants. In awarding the grants, the Secretary shall seek to improve red snapper and other reef fish species stock assessments through innovative approaches to data collection that incorporates data from cooperative peer-reviewed research involving academia, fishermen, and other fisheries sources.
“This legislation will make money available to a host of agencies across the Gulf,” said Dr. Hogarth. “That is one reason we are happy with Congressman’s Jolly’s bill.”
Recently introduced legislation by Congressman David Jolly of Florida will hopefully lead to a more accurate count of red snapper and other reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico. Photo: U.S. House of Representatives
Fishery managers have to have the capability of reacting quickly to a wide variety of events, including hurricanes and oil spills. Jolly’s legislation will allow for studies to be conducted on how to handle crisis situations.
According to Dr. Hogarth, a Gulf Stock Assessment Center that would do research differently is desperately needed. Communication is the key. Everyone must be able to understand and have faith in the data
In addition, Rep. Jolly’s bill will allow for research into recreational accountability. “Ten day seasons are not realistic anymore,” said Dr. Hogarth. “Right now we are studying the possibility of having alternative fishing weeks. We have to realize that recreational has to be managed differently than commercial. One size does not fit all, there has to be more flexibility.”
“This bill will improve our knowledge of fisheries stocks and if the research shows a larger fish population than the government suggests, this will open the door for a longer fishing season for species like red snapper. And a longer snapper season is an economic and quality of life win throughout our community, positively impacting everyone from local scientists committed to the protection of fish populations, to recreational anglers, to charter operators, to businesses that depend on fishing tourism like hotel and restaurant operators,” Jolly noted.
“It is time we ran seafood like the multi-billion dollar business it is,” said the former Assistant Administrator for Fisheries at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). “We have to get everyone to the table and start talking instead of fighting each other all the time.”
“In Florida both recreational and commercial fishermen sat at the same table with Congressman Jolly. They were able to discuss the issues, and more of this has got to start happening,” said Hogarth. “Everyone should have an equal say. The Gulf is a public trust resource that needs to be managed in the best interests of everyone involved. Management has to be done in a fair and equitable way so there is fish for everyone in the future.“
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