Currently, the harvestable pounds of red snapper are allocated at 51 percent to the commercial sector and 49 percent to the recreational sector each year. These allocation percentages were established some 30 years ago using data from a survey system that has since been replaced because of gross inaccuracies. The recreational community has been calling for a complete re-examination of allocations based on the fisheries best use for the nation and better data. The commercial sector though, managed under an Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program that gifts a public resource to a handful of individuals for personal profit, has been successful in keeping the allocations where they are currently established. Although not a complete overhaul, Reef Fish Amendment 28 would be the first step at correcting an injustice since the allocations were set nearly three decades ago.
The preferred alternative to Amendment 28 is Alternative 5, which calls for re-allocating the excess poundage above the historic high catch of 9.12 million pounds. The new allocation for red snapper above that mark would be 75 percent recreational and 25 percent commercial. However, for Amendment 28 to be successful, the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council needs to hear from the angling public. Over the next two weeks there will be a series of public hearings that need strong angler turnout supporting the preferred Alternative 5. The public hearings begin March 10th in Orange Beach, Alabama and conclude March 24 in St. Petersburg, Florida.
For a complete list of the hearing dates, times and locations, click here.
Although in-person support is preferred, written comments can be submitted here.
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?
