Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez

US Department of Commerce

1401 Constitution Ave., NW

Washington, DC  20230

Fax: (202) 482-2741

Dear Secretary Gutierrez:

As a recreational angler in the Gulf of Mexico and a member of the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA), I am opposed to the implementation of an individual fishing quota (IFQ) program for the commercial red snapper fishery in the Gulf of Mexico at this time.  Red snapper is an extremely important fish to the recreational fishing community yet the current management scenario puts us at a disadvantage which we believe will only get worse if IFQs are put in place. 

My opposition is based on the following:

Ø      Out of control illegal fishery.  The existence of an illegal red snapper fishery has been substantiated by eyewitness accounts, discussions at law enforcement advisory panel meetings, direct conversions with federal and state wildlife agents and direct observations of illegal red snapper sales.  All information indicates that the magnitude of the illegal red snapper fishery has the potential to meet or exceed legitimate commercial red snapper landings.  This affects the stock assessment and results in lower recreational bag limits, shorter seasons, and increase minimum size limits. 

Ø      Inadequate law enforcement presence in Gulf.  State and federal enforcement has acknowledged that insufficient resources currently exist to reign in the illegal red snapper fishery.  The known lack of enforcement is to cause for the rampant nature of the illegal fishery.  Until resources are available to correct this problem and stop the illegal sale of red snapper, an IFQ program will only divert attention and focus away from this serious problem.

There are management concerns with the red snapper fishery that need to be addressed before an IFQ program can be implemented with any success.  IFQs are not simply a commercial issue but one that will have implications for the entire Gulf fishing industry and red snapper stock.  I ask that you oppose the advancement of IFQs and consider the forthcoming findings of the Law Enforcement Taskforce, initiated at RFA’s request.  Until the above mentioned concerns are fully and completely dealt with, the recreational community stands firmly against red snapper IFQs.

                                                            Sincerely,

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