RFA Exploring Innovative Management for Red Snapper

Citing frustration with the current bag limits and seasons for red snapper, the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) announced today that it is exploring innovative techniques for the management of the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery.  RFA is also seeking an extension of the current season to compensate for lost fishing opportunities and revenues to hurricanes Katrina and Rita. 

RFA notes that the current size and bag limit result in a large portion of the allowable catch being counted as discards and not as landings. The result is shorter seasons, and lower bag limits. “It’s a vicious cycle. When size limits are increased, the pounds caught increases, and in order to meet the conservation goals of the management plan, anglers bag limits are decreased or the season is shorter, resulting in fishermen having a less than satisfying experience and economic losses to the recreational industry,” said Jim Smarr, Chairman of the RFA Texas chapter.  

RFA staff and volunteers are currently reviewing the data for the fishery, and modeling different scenarios in order to determine if alternative management scenarios will lead to longer seasons, lower minimum size limits, and higher bag limits. “One scenario our science team is examining would be where anglers could keep the first five fish they catch, no matter what the size, which will result in a decrease in release mortality,” said Jim Donofrio, Executive Director of the RFA. “Our goal is to get our members the best fishing experience possible and for the recreational industry to be healthy, while assuring the responsible management of the red snapper resource,” said Jim.

RFA is also investigating the possibility of seeking an extension of the red snapper season.  The destructive hurricane season translated into a significant loss of fishing days, and the recreational quota could remain unfilled, despite the season closing.

The commercial fishery for red snapper was extended since the quota was not filled due to the storms and it is quite possible the same situation exists for the recreational sector.  The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) extended the commercial season, in order to allow the quota to be filled. “If the recreational quota has not been filled, than we will ask NMFS to extend the season. Consistent with the mandates of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, the recreational sector should be given the same opportunity to fish and fill the quota as the commercial sector,” said Mr. Smarr.

“We encourage all anglers to become more involved in this process as it goes forward, with a key meeting of the Gulf of Mexico Council coming up on January 11th for public testimony in Corpus Christi, Texas. The public testimony will be held on the morning of the 11th,” said Smarr.

                                                                              

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