For Mississippi, this rule would cut recreational red snapper quotas by 60 percent. NOAA's insistence on keeping a flawed approach needlessly erodes the trust of many anglers throughout the Gulf region. "NOAA's proposed rule continues to rely on inaccurate federal data. Instead of providing common-sense proposals, they keep tying State and Federal management in a regulatory knot tighter than a Boy Scout could," Graves said. If NMFS's deckhands would leave their cubicles and see the repercussions of their decisions, we wouldn't need to keep having this discussion. And, those pesky federal laws actually require the use of the best science. States have the best available science and can make the best decisions for the species right off our coast – not someone in Washington, D.C. The states have done a great job sustainably managing this important resource. "Red snapper is one of the most popular catches for Gulf anglers. This "calibration" would result in distorted federal management recommendations and completely ignore the most advanced assessment of red snapper ever done, the "Great Red Snapper Count" - that showed triple the fish assumed by federal assessments.Ĭongressman Garret Graves and Senator Roger Wicker spearheaded the letter in Congress. Even the National Academies identified deficiencies in this federal system. Specifically, the NMFS proposal would require all state fisheries data to be converted into a single federal system that is less accurate than the current state management data. Further, the federal agency's efforts would result in fewer fishing days for anglers in the Gulf States and adverse economic impacts. The letter expresses strong concerns from dozens of Members of Congress that NMFS is attempting to use flawed science and a one-size-fits-all approach that would undermine the successful state management of fisheries negotiated seven years ago. Department of Commerce (DOC) Secretary Gina Raimondo to direct the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to allow better science and improved access to red snapper fishing opportunities. The council may request an emergency rule to increase the quota again based on the new scientific information and request NOAA Fisheries to reopen the recreational season for red snapper later in the year.WASHINGTON, DC – Nearly 40 Members of Congress from across the southeastern United States have asked U.S. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will review the 2013 red snapper population assessment during their June meeting in Pensacola, FL. Florida state waters are open June 1 – July 14, 2013, with a two-fish bag limit. Florida: In federal waters off Florida due to inconsistent regulations, the season will be 26 days and close on June 27, 2013, at 12:01 a.m., local time.Louisiana state waters are open weekends only (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), March 23 – September 30, 2013, with a three-fish bag limit. Louisiana: In federal waters off Louisiana due to inconsistent regulations, the season will be 24 days, and close on June 25, 2013, at 12:01 a.m., local time.Texas state waters are open all year for recreational red snapper fishing with a four-fish bag limit. Texas: In federal waters off Texas due to inconsistent regulations, the season will be 17 days, and close on June 18, 2013, at 12:01 a.m., local time.Mississippi and Alabama: In federal and state waters off Mississippi and Alabama due to consistent regulations, the season will be 34 days and close on July 5, 2013, at 12:01 a.m., local time.The method for calculating the dates for the federal season for each state are available online at click here for NMFS During development of this final rule, NOAA Fisheries re-calculated the projected 2013 red snapper recreational season lengths off each Gulf state using updated recreational landings data as well as new information from Louisiana and Texas. The federal recreational season for Gulf of Mexico red snapper begins June 1, 2013, with a 2-fish bag limit.
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