Summary: The Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation strongly urges federal fisheries managers to approve renewed state applications that would expand recreational red snapper fishing opportunities in the South Atlantic.
The Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (SAF) recently commented on renewed applications from Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina to free recreational anglers and state fisheries agencies from restrictive federal red snapper regulations in the South Atlantic.
SAF fully supports NMFS’ conclusion that the applications warrant further review, and we’re urging NMFS to grant the EFPs. For years, SAF has asked NMFS to recognize that the current snapper management structure is not working and that the red snapper stock in the South Atlantic is strong, growing, and available for recreational harvest at levels greatly above those established in recent years.
Addressing Court Concerns With Renewed Applications
NMFS recently approved EFPs for summer red snapper seasons, but the seasons were ultimately shot down in federal court. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR), and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) resubmitted EFP applications that address the court’s concerns. The renewed applications propose fall red snapper recreational fishing opportunities that will provide a robust data set that will inform, and result in a real, positive management change for the red snapper fishery in the South Atlantic.
Legal Perspective on Red Snapper Management
“We stand with Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina in their continued attempts to expand recreational red snapper fishing opportunities and data collection in the South Atlantic. The states’ renewed applications provide even more in-depth analysis and address previous legal concerns expressed by the federal court,” said Torin Miller, Associate Litigation Counsel at the Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation. “A proven roadmap for successful red snapper management in the South Atlantic exists, and Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina have just handed it to NMFS. We’ll continue to support South Atlantic states and anglers until red snapper seasons are measured in months – not hours or days.”
Benefits to Conservation, Safety, and Data Collection
Approval of the latest EFP applications would expand access for anglers in the South Atlantic, and it would also advance conservation outcomes, fisheries management, and angler safety. The expanded seasons would provide opportunities to create a robust dataset on the true health of the red snapper stock and recreational angling pressure across the region. This data would inform future management actions and result in durable outcomes. Similarly, the applications advance many fisheries management requirements established by the Magnuson Stevens Act – a federal law guiding marine fisheries management in U.S. federal waters. Finally, expanded seasons will disperse fishing pressure, creating safer boating conditions and allowing for more cautious, weather-based fishing decisions.
Preparing for Future State Management Authority
Each state has provided thorough discussion and analysis of the data used in formulating the proposed projects, including, notably, the severe lack of data and the poor quality of the little data available. FWC, GADNR, and SCDNR are well-situated to carry out the proposed projects in the respective EFP applications, and approval of the EFPs will result in three states that are even more prepared to take on additional red snapper management authority in adjacent federal waters.
Issues like these are at the heart of the Sportsmen’s Alliance mission and we will continue to monitor this important issue. Don’t stand on the sidelines join us as a member or a donor of the Sportsmen’s Legal Defense Fund in protecting tomorrow’s hunting, fishing, and trapping heritage today.
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