PANAMA CITY — Changes will be coming to red snapper management in the Gulf of Mexico this year if an amendment to split the recreational sector between federally permitted charter anglers and private recreational anglers is approved by federal fishery managers.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking comment on Amendment 40, which would divide the allotted recreational red snapper catch between the two groups. Currently, charter/for-hire operators and private recreational anglers fall under the same umbrella.
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council voted in favor of the “sector separation” proposal at a meeting in Mobile, Alabama, last October, and a notice of public comment for the measure was published in the Federal Register last week. The comment period will be open through March 17.
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Prior to the council’s approval, the agency held a series of public meetings across the Gulf states, including one in Panama City, which revealed a sharp divide in opinions on the proposal.
Proponents of the amendment, led by industry groups like the Charter Fisherman’s Association, see it as a solution for the shorter and increasingly uncertain red snapper seasons. This year’s federal Gulf red snapper season was just nine days long.
Many of those against sector separation, however, see it as an attempt to privatize the fish stock and fear it could lead to a “catch share” system similar to the commercial red snapper fishery, which requires participants to purchase shares of the total allowable catch.
The amendment would give federal for-hire vessels 42.3 percent of the total recreational quota, or about 2.3 million pounds. Private recreational anglers would receive the remaining 57.7 percent of the catch, equal to about 3.1 million pounds.
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It also would establish separate seasons for each of the recreational sub-sectors, but NOAA indicated it cannot project season lengths for 2015 until it receives data outlining red snapper landings from last year.
The Gulf Council has imposed a three-year sunset on the amendment, unless action is taken to continue the measure. The group also is exploring other measures to improve access to the red snapper fishery, including a proposal to regionally manage the species, which would give more power to the states to set seasons and bag limits.
Want To Comment?
- Comments can be submitted electronically through the Federal e-Rulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=NOAA-NMFS-2014-0107 or by mail to Peter Hood, NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office, Sustainable Fisheries Division, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505.