Redfish is a popular coastal species of Georgia which enjoys the distinction of being the official state saltwater fish. As the tag of “gamefish” is not with this species it has become more vulnerable to exploitation through commercial sales and overharvesting. According to the group, led by southeast Georgia guide Mike Duckworth, officially, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is neutral on the issue, but its leading biologists acknowledge a need to better protect what has become an important recreational fishery.
Spud Woodward, Georgia’s assistant director for marine fisheries, opined that they are officially neutral, but they are concerned about the possible consequences of not designating them as gamefish. It is told that in Georgia, all freshwater fish species targeted by recreational anglers are legally gamefish, which means native fish cannot be sold commercially and can only be taken with hook and line.
He further adds that one of the reasons behind not having gamefish tag for saltwater species is that the framework to manage these species was done to manage commercial fishing. The petition drive is aimed at winning gamefish status for Georgia’s redfish, which would limit commercial harvesting and sales.
Woodward explained that Georgia is the only state in the southeast besides Mississippi that hasn’t take the step to designate redfish as gamefish. .Although anyone harvesting redfish commercially in Georgia must have a commercial license and adhere to size and creel limits, state authorities believe much goes unreported.
