Congressional Red Snapper Bill

[silverking]

Graves-Miller Bill Will Better Conserve Gulf Red Snapper, Improve Access
“States are simply better equipped to manage the fishery -- and more aware of its importance”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 16, 2015 – Leaders in the recreational fishing community today lauded new bipartisan legislation by U.S. Representatives Garret Graves (R-La.) and Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) that the president of the Center for Coastal Conservation predicted “will better conserve Gulf red snapper and finally give recreational anglers reasonable access to red snapper fishing.”

“For too long, the federal government has relied on outdated and inaccurate information to unfairly limit recreational Gulf red snapper fishing to just a single weekend a year,” said Jeff Angers, president of the Center. “Representative Graves’ bill will improve recreational fishing opportunities and safeguard the thousands of Gulf jobs that depend on recreational red snapper fishing.”

Rep. Graves’ bill will extend formal federal recognition to the historic agreement between the chief fish and wildlife officials of all five Gulf States to accept joint responsibility for management of the red snapper fishery in federal waters. Red snapper management is currently under the jurisdiction of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service.

“The state fisheries agencies and the recreational angling community have a long-standing partnership in successfully managing our fisheries resources for species abundance, while ensuring appropriate public access,” noted Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation President Jeff Crane.

Crane added that “the states are simply better equipped to manage Gulf red snapper; have a proven record of managing fisheries in their own state waters, and are more aware of a fishery’s importance to recreational anglers and their state’s economy.”

Original co-authors of the Graves measure include: Reps. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.), Ralph Abraham (R-La.), Brian Babin (R-Texas); Dan Benishek (R-Mich.), Charles Boustany (R-La.), Buddy Carter (R-Ga.), Paul Cook (R-Calif.), Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), Gene Green (D-Texas), Jody Hice (R-Ga.), Bob Latta (R-Ohio), Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.), Billy Long (R-Mo.), Pete Olsen (R-Texas), Steven Palazzo (R-Miss.), Austin Scott (R-Ga.), Cedric Richmond (D-La.), Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Tim Walz (D-Minn.), Lynn Westmoreland (R-Ga.) and Rob Wittman (R-Va.).

The Gulf States Red Snapper Management Authority Act will likely be referred to the House of Representatives’ Natural Resources Committee.

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[MudDucker]

This needs to happen. Glad to see so many of Georgia's reps signing on. I would have thought every rep in Florida whose district touched salt water would be clamoring to get on the bill as well.

[Mister Mullet]

I'm not so sure about this. What's to keep a state from setting rules that screw neighboring states? States like Florida with questionable legislators and leadership could simply say screw you guys, we're taking all we want. There needs to be some safeguards to prevent this. Just sayin'

[RCS]

I'm sure there will be plenty of safeguards. The passage of this bill would be a big win for recreational snapper fishermen in the Gulf.

[EddieJoe]

If it ever happens, we can see how the states alone manage snapper. My prediction is a difficult day will come when citizens will have to come to grips with whether they want to have ARS available on the plate in a restaurant or for individuals to catch for themselves. There is no "magic" way to somehow produce enough ARS for both a decent recreational season and bag AND keep a 365 day commercial fishery.
Blaming the Feds for bad harvest data may be valid, but the central problem is trying to maintain a fresh commercial market for ARS in. Florida restaurants. Will see if state managers "freed" from the Feds have the guts to close grouper and snapper to commercial fishing, which is the only way to have a substantial recreational season and bag. Snook and redfish couldn't stand both, and the same will be true for ARS.

IMO, to have a year round, 2-4 fish ARS bag, there can be NO commercial fishery.

And I for one would pull that trigger. Any day of the week. Plenty of mahi for both a rec and commercial harvest, but not grouper or ARS.

[Rhettley]

If it ever happens, we can see how the states alone manage snapper. My prediction is a difficult day will come when citizens will have to come to grips with whether they want to have ARS available on the plate in a restaurant or for individuals to catch for themselves. There is no "magic" way to somehow produce enough ARS for both a decent recreational season and bag AND keep a 365 day commercial fishery.
Blaming the Feds for bad harvest data may be valid, but the central problem is trying to maintain a fresh commercial market for ARS in. Florida restaurants. Will see if state managers "freed" from the Feds have the guts to close grouper and snapper to commercial fishing, which is the only way to have a substantial recreational season and bag. Snook and redfish couldn't stand both, and the same will be true for ARS.

IMO, to have a year round, 2-4 fish ARS bag, there can be NO commercial fishery.

And I for one would pull that trigger. Any day of the week. Plenty of mahi for both a rec and commercial harvest, but not grouper or ARS.

Completely agree EJ. Plus we have to stop the exporting.