Limitless Posted February 2, 2018 Report Share Posted February 2, 2018 Some great news!! The Gulf states are now much closer to being approved to manage Red Snapper in 2018 and 2019. There will be reporting requirements designed to get more accurate data on catch numbers to ensure better management. For Immediate Release Mary Jane Williamson, Communications Director 703-519-9691, x227 www.asafishing.org Gulf Council Advances Proposals for States to Manage Red Snapper Sportfishing industry believes that states’ management will benefit red snapper conservation and fishing access Alexandria, VA – February 1, 2018 – The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) applauds today’s vote by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to approve Exempted Fishing Permits (EFPs) for each of the five Gulf states that will allow each state to manage recreational fishing for red snapper. “As an organization that has long pushed for state management of Gulf red snapper, we are thankful for the Gulf Council’s vote to allow the states to test red snapper management,” said Mike Leonard, ASA’s Conservation director. “Each of the Gulf states are to be commended for putting forward well-thought-out proposals that will demonstrate their ability to effectively manage recreational red snapper fishing.” The EFPs, which cover the 2018 and 2019 fishing years, will allow recreationally caught red snapper to be landed within certain time periods determined by the respective states. Red snapper landings would be monitored by the states, and the respective state seasons would close when a state’s quota is caught or projected to be caught. These studies are intended to demonstrate the effectiveness of state management of recreationally caught red snapper. “While much work remains to be done, today’s vote is a significant step in the right direction for Gulf anglers and the businesses that depend on red snapper fishing,” said Leonard. Development and approval of the Gulf states’ EFPs was facilitated by language from Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) in the FY2017 Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations bill that directed NOAA Fisheries to develop the fishery management pilot program allowing states to manage Gulf red snapper. “Thanks in large part to the efforts of leaders in Congress such as Sen. Shelby, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.), state management of Gulf red snapper is getting closer to reality,” noted Leonard. With the Gulf Council’s approval, NOAA is now required to publish the plans and allow for a 30-day comment period. NOAA must then ratify each plan before implementation begins. ### The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry's trade association committed to representing the interests of the sportfishing and boating industries as well as the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry and anglers a unified voice when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. ASA invests in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous, as well as safeguard and promote the enduring economic, conservation and social values of sportfishing in America. ASA also gives America's 46 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to sustainably fish on our nation's waterways through Keep America Fishing®, our national angler advocacy campaign. America's anglers generate more than $48 billion in retail sales with a $115 billion impact on the nation's economy creating employment for more than 828,000 people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greenbone Posted February 13, 2018 Report Share Posted February 13, 2018 Careful for what we ask for---. Yes there will be additional reporting from the rec. guys and the charter guides. Hard to believe but I heard our red snapper fishing days will probably be REDUCED !! Let's hope NOT ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawg Posted February 13, 2018 Report Share Posted February 13, 2018 Allow me to explain how all of this works. When you return from a day of fishing, the local Marine Patrol designee requests that you answer a few questions regarding your catch on that particular day. If you tell him that you caught nothing, they"ll recommend the immediate closure of the fishery as the stock of fish is dangerously depleted. If you tell him that you limited out, they will recommend immediate closure of the fishery as the stock of fish is being dangerously depleted. At the end of the day, most of these jokers are tree-huggers who object to fishing and hunting on moral grounds. The only way to put an end to this is to refuse to participate in their *** surveys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Troy Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 The FWC also discussed the future of Gulf red snapper management in state and federal waters, including a proposed fishery-management pilot program (also referred to as an Exempted Fishing Permit) that would allow the FWC to manage all recreational red snapper harvest caught in Gulf state and federal waters off Florida in 2018 and 2019. The pilot program is pending approval by NOAA Fisheries and would set the harvest season for recreational anglers fishing from private vessels in state and federal waters of the Gulf, and would also include for-hire operations that do not have a federal reef fish permit and are limited to targeting reef fish in Gulf state waters only. The FWC discussed a potential 24-day season in Gulf state and federal waters as a jumping off point for a 2018 season proposal. This season length has potential to change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Troy Posted February 14, 2018 Report Share Posted February 14, 2018 18 hours ago, hawg said: Allow me to explain how all of this works. When you return from a day of fishing, the local Marine Patrol designee requests that you answer a few questions regarding your catch on that particular day. If you tell him that you caught nothing, they"ll recommend the immediate closure of the fishery as the stock of fish is dangerously depleted. If you tell him that you limited out, they will recommend immediate closure of the fishery as the stock of fish is being dangerously depleted. At the end of the day, most of these jokers are tree-huggers who object to fishing and hunting on moral grounds. The only way to put an end to this is to refuse to participate in their *** surveys. Lack of data is what got us to where we are. Collecting catch data is what is taking us to where were headed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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