According to NOAA interim rule has been passed to prohibit commercial and recreational fishing for red snapper in federal waters off North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and the Atlantic coast of Florida. 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.
In his statement RFA attorney Dave Heil said that they have filed a lawsuit in Florida court and 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. The six-month rule becomes effective Jan. 4 and can be extended an additional six months if necessary.
NOAA informed that 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. Roy Crabtree, southeast regional administrator for NOAA’s Fisheries Service, said that 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.
It is said that 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.
