RFA Reacts to Gulf States’ Red Snapper Management Plan

In response to the March 13 announcement by fisheries management agencies from Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, the Recreational Fishing Alliance has issued a press release praising the five state effort:

March 17, 2015 – The five states bordering the Gulf of Mexico-Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas-have pulled together in an effort to wrestle management authority of the red snapper fishery from the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council (GMFMC). In a jointly signed letter submitted to federal authorities on March 13, the states outlined a proposal to shift management of Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper away from the federal government. This unprecedented effort includes a new framework for cooperative state-based management of this incredibly important fishery and would create the Gulf States Red Snapper Management Authority.

“The Gulf States are making it crystal clear that they have no confidence in the GMFMC’s ability to manage red snapper in a fair and equitable manner,” said Jim Donofrio, RFA’s executive director. “Our Gulf chapters have been working diligently to bring about change within the Council system only to have their efforts thwarted by an organization that is under the control of an entrenched group of individuals associated with environmental groups like the Environmental Defense Fund.”

The dissatisfaction with the performance of the GMFMC by state management authorities and their stakeholders has been brewing for a long time and the problem is only exacerbated by the fact that the fishery has been rebuilt to well beyond the most optimistic historic levels while the recreational red snapper seasons set by the GMFMC have been cut to levels counted in days with no justification.

“I think the straw that broke the back of any credibility within the GMFMC was the recent vote for sector separation,” Donofrio said. “There was overwhelming opposition for this unprecedented move, but the Council went ahead with it anyway.”

According to Robert Barham at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, the states are far more capable of handling the collection of more precise landings data than the GMFMC, which relies upon the flawed Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP). Along with the other Gulf States, Louisiana is confident we can provide precise landings estimates and more frequent stock assessments-the data needed to better manage this fishery and allow our fishermen to take full advantage of the available resource. The states are also more receptive and can be more responsive to the wants and needs of constituent’s-we can set flexible, tailored management measures that address local needs as well as Gulf-wide conservation goals.

“A change has been a long time coming-we want to thank the state directors for pulling together to create a viable solution for fixing red snapper management,” Barham said.

On the dock, anglers and the industry were pleased with the proposed action.

“Gulf of Mexico red snapper at the federal level has proven to be an absolute failure for the recreational fishing community from a management standpoint,” explained Jamie Wilkinson, Vice President and Group Publisher at F+W Media and member of the RFA Board of Directors. “The Gulf states should be commended for putting forward a proposal that aims to provide recreational fishermen an increased opportunity to benefit from the rebuilding success of red snapper.”

The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation’s saltwater fisheries. For more information, call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit www.joinrfa.org.