Recreational Fishermen Support State-based Management of Red Snapper

According to a recent survey conducted by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife Fisheries, recreational fishermen, regardless of being a private angler or a charter boat captain, overwhelmingly support transferring responsibility for managing the recreational red snapper fishery from federal authorities to state agencies like the department. The department sent the online survey out to all recreational fishermen who hold a Louisiana Recreational Offshore Landings Permit, which is required to fish offshore for species like red snapper, to find out what they think about future management options for the red snapper fishery.
Robert Barham, secretary of the department said, "We always hear from the same people at Gulf Council meetings and public hearings about red snapper management. Unfortunately, we rarely hear from Louisiana anglers and charter captains. This survey was an effort to reach out to our stakeholders and get their opinions. We really appreciate their valuable feedback.”
Of the 19,000-plus survey recipients, nearly 6,000 fishermen responded to the survey. In addition to asking fishermen their opinions on recreational red snapper fishery management, department asked respondents to indicate whether they are a private angler or a charter captain and to provide their zip code. The majority of respondents were private anglers (96.2%); 61 federally-permitted charter captains responded (1.1%) and 148 state charter captains (no federal permit) responded (2.7%). Most respondents reside in Louisiana; however, residents of other Gulf states and states outside the Gulf also responded.
To view the survey results, www.wlf.louisiana.gov/news/39630.
There are ongoing efforts through both Congress and the Gulf Council (Reef Fish Amendment 39) to transfer some or all authority for the red snapper fishery to the Gulf states. The department will continue to advocate on behalf of its stakeholders and press Congress and the Gulf Council for state-based management of red snapper. We also encourage our recreational fishermen to speak out at the upcoming Gulf Council public hearings on Amendment 39, including one at the Doubletree Hotel in Baton Rouge at 6 p.m. on November 2. The Council will also hold a public hearing via webinar at 5 p.m. on October 28.
Randy Pausina, assistant secretary for fisheries," “Public testimony has been monopolized by paid non-governmental organizations who have no direct interest in the fishery—it is now more important than ever for those with a direct stake in the fishery, like those we surveyed, to come out and voice their concerns at these public meetings."
A video further explaining why the five Gulf state marine fisheries directors support state management of red snapper and have aligned their positions with their constituents who are directly involved in this fishery is available for viewing at
www.vimeo.com/141539357.