NOAA institutes red snapper ban

Posted on December 07, 2009

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Fisheries Service announced an interim rule that will prohibit commercial and recreational fishing for red snapper in federal waters off North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and the Atlantic coast of Florida.

See Related Articles

The move drew sharp criticism from the Recreational Fishing Alliance, which says it will seek an emergency injunction to prevent the ban from going into effect.

"We have ... filed a lawsuit in federal court in Jacksonville, Fla. and we feel confident that once a federal judge reviews the arbitrary and capricious methods used by the National Marine Fisheries Service, the closure will be overturned," RFA attorney Dave Heil said in a statement.

The six-month rule becomes effective Jan. 4 and can be extended an additional six months if necessary.

The most recent scientific assessment shows too many red snapper are being removed from the population, which indicates a need for protection under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, NOAA said in a statement. Most of the remaining population consists of smaller, younger fish, which produce fewer eggs than older fish.

"The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires us to manage fish populations so they grow to a size that can sustain the largest average catch possible for the long term," said Roy Crabtree, southeast regional administrator for NOAA's Fisheries Service, in a statement. "Unfortunately, the red snapper population has not been able to reach that size; therefore, closing the fishery is the first step toward protecting this species, rebuilding the stock and ensuring fishing for generations to come."

Heil and the RFA say the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and National Marine Fisheries Service are using improper data to drive their decision.

"NOAA continues to put nails into the coffin of the beleaguered recreational marine industry, while the preservationists over at Pew Environment Group are already dancing on our graves," RFA executive director Jim Donofrio said in a statement.

Click here for the RFA's full statement.

Comments

i agree with all of you guys except that bill seifart that makes no sence. But i am dooing a research paper and i am not able to find any actuall data from NOAA and all the forums i go to talk about this information. Is there a wesite i can go to for this or is everyone just being a broke record and repeating one another???

Thx for any help

e-mail me at

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

it's obvious bill seifort has no clue what he is talking about. lol, "If all reef fish were banned from human consumption, we would have a healthier population". Ciguartera is not a huge epidemicin this country. Besides, if you are eating snapper and other reef fish odds are you are eating it at a restaurant, in which case their purveyors do a good job to nearly ensure they are free of the toxin. Can you please tell me what percent of the food borne illnesses ciguatera is actually attributed to. Next thing this guy will say not to eat tuna or mackeral because of the fear of scombroid poisoning.

once again the people making the decisions do not know what is going on and refuse to listen.

I wonder if all the abundance of red snapper that is being seen currently is a result of the past catch limits placed on the species years back.Since they claim the fish need to be 2 or 3 years of age to reach breeding size?Maybe the current restrictions put in place are working and adequate.But to just simply put a ban on bottom fishing in that vast area is an economic dissaster.And it will put undo fishing pressure on other species.Because people just arent going to stop fishing.And will definitley bring more imports into this country.You know the enviromentalists go from one cause to another and ruin commerce and jobs in this country.I guess its okay to sacrifice our soldiers in Iraq for oil,but not ok to drill for oil in our own country.After all those poor caribou in Alaska might get hurt if we did that.Meanwhile the people in this country dont have enough jobs and our country is 12 trillion dollars in debt and rising.I mean if these fish stocks are in such decline why hasnt someone suggested a stock enhancment program to rebuild fish stocks?

They are systematically turning america into a bedroom town.Soon we will all be flipping burgers and at the mercy of foreign country for all the goods we use.HAVE YOU HUGGED YOUR TREE TODAY?

I hate to see a fishery close but with fish populations declining in every waterway on the east coast it is time that the recreational guys realize that we are part of the problem.

The RFA has not presented information to back their counter claim. It seems we are willing to land the last fish and not worry about the future. Time for folks to take responsibility for their actions. All of us.

Glen

Since reef fish like Red Snapper harbor cigutera poisoning, a ban will help with public health. If all reef fish were banned from human consumption, we would have a healthier population

I agree with Bill 110%. Leave the recreational fishing alone period!

The report of closing the Red Snapper to recreational fishermen is not needed. The evaluation of the Snapper is flawed at best. Research is not correct and is very biased. The closing will only do more harm to small struggling comunities along the coast. Already hit with the downturn in the real estate market, high fuel costs and lack of tourism.

Once again here comes government with the age old phrase of " I'm here from the govenment, I'm here to help you".

This is nothing but another nail in the coffin.

Bill

Add your comment

Your name:	Required, screen names acceptable
Your email:	Required, will not be published
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our Comments Policy.:	Image Pagebreak Read more

Word verification:

yvComment v.1.21.1

Facebook	RSS
Twitter	LinkedIn
Daily E-newsletter