Government Affairs
Current Issue
Red Snapper Fishery Closed
The Issue
On December 3, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced an interim rule that will prohibit commercial and recreational anglers from fishing for red snapper in federal waters off North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and the Atlantic coast of Florida. The six-month closure became effective on January 4, 2010, and can be extended an additional six months if NMFS deems it necessary. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council requested the fisheries service implement this interim rule while the council explores long-term measures to address the critical condition of red snapper.
Prior to the final announcement, ASA provided comments on the proposed rule expressing its concerns with the proposal, especially given the potential economic impact it would have on the recreational fishing sector and the important role that recreational anglers play in fisheries conservation, and urging NMFS to find a balance between fishing restrictions necessary for the conservation of the fishery and economic impact. ASA continues to address this problem and will soon announce a multi-step campaign that seeks to protect both the fishery resource and recreational fishing opportunity.
