The Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council (Council) is currently moving ahead on a proposed amendment that will divide segments of the recreational fishing community against each other without addressing the fundamental problems with recreational red snapper management. Amendment 40, also known as “sector separation,” will divide the recreational angler’s 49 percent share of the snapper fishery roughly in half between private recreational anglers and charter-for-hire and head boat owners. Rather than work to develop real solutions to the challenges facing recreational red snapper management, the Council is proposing to create further division and infighting among stakeholders by subdividing the recreational sector. The recreational fishing community has a small window of time to stop this troubling amendment from moving forward, but we must organize and act quickly.
The Gulf Council has scheduled a series of public hearings on whether to move forward with Amendment 40. These hearings, along with the next two Gulf Council meetings, will decide the fate of our access to the Gulf of Mexico fisheries. CSF and six organizations from the recreational fishing community recently voiced their support for necessary action needed to protect access for Gulf of Mexico recreational anglers. Click here to view a joint statement.
Recreational anglers should oppose sector separation (Amendment 40) because:
• Dividing the recreational sector further by expanding the commercial model to half of the recreational sector isn’t a solution, it’s a recipe for more hardships for many charter boat owners and all private recreational anglers. The solution is not to divide the recreational community, but to collectively push for a system of management that is appropriate for the entire recreational sector.
• Despite what the commercial industry and environmental groups proclaim, recreational anglers (both private and for-hire components) have been “accountable.” We abide by the regulations and do what we are asked to do. It’s the federal system of fisheries management that has been “unaccountable” and failed the recreational community as a whole.
• This type of management philosophy, for all practical purposes, will effectively eliminate the red snapper recreational season in federal waters for the private angler. It will be nearly impossible for someone to trailer their boat to the Gulf or schedule vacation around what will likely be two or three days of snapper season.
• NOAA Fisheries has failed to provide any credible analysis of the economic impacts of this course of management.
• This isn’t just a threat for Gulf of Mexico red snapper anglers. If the red snapper recreational component in the Gulf is allowed to be divided and privatized, it will set a precedent and create a model for other popular sportfish fisheries in the Gulf and along a coast near you.
While attending and commenting in person at a public hearing or a Council meeting has the greatest impact, we urge you to voice your opinion through written comments by clicking here if your schedule prohibits meeting attendance.
CSF and its recreational fishing partners urges you to participate in these critical public hearings and/or Council meetings.
Public Hearings:
Monday, August 4, 2014
Sirata Beach Hotel
5300 Gulf Boulevard
St. Pete Beach, FL Monday, August 4, 2014
Hilton Galveston Island Hotel
5400 Seawall Boulevard
Galveston Island, TX
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Plantation Suites and Conference Center
1909 State Hwy 361
Port Aransas, TX
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott
3111 Loop Road
Orange Beach, AL
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza
64 South Water Street
Mobile, AL Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Holiday Inn Select
2001 MLK Boulevard
Panama City, FL
Monday, August 18, 2014
Hyatt Place Baton Rouge
6080 Bluebonnet Boulevard
Baton Rouge, LA
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Courtyard by Marriott Gulfport Beachfront
1600 E. Beach Boulevard
Gulfport, MS
Gulf Council Meetings
August 25 – 29, 2014
Beau Rivage
875 Beach Blvd.
Biloxi, MS 39530
October 20 – 24, 2014
Renaissance Battle House
26 N. Royal Street
Mobile, AL 36602
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
