Science-based management on Gulf of Mexico red snapper shows that when fishermen follow management measures based on science, they lead to rebuilding of fish populations and increased opportunities to fish. Dr. Bonnie Ponwith, Southeast Fisheries Science Center director for NOAA’s Fisheries Service, told that the scientific update showed harvest levels were still a bit too high in 2008; however, scientific projections are promising for 2009, indicating that the stock may improve enough to support higher harvest levels.
This shows how science and management can work together to protect our natural resources. Historical records indicate fishermen have targeted red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico since the late 1800s as a subsistence fishery. However, fishing pressure became too great throughout the mid-1900s as coastal populations increased and saltwater sport fishing became more popular.
Dr. Roy Crabtree, southeast regional administrator for NOAA’s Fisheries Service, opined that the actions taken by the council have ranged in variety and degree, from adjusting recreational size limits to implementing a catch share program for commercial fishermen in 2007. This has been our most challenging fishery issue in the Gulf of Mexico to date.
The red snapper population is still a long way from making a full recovery, but reducing fishing pressure has expedited the recovery process and continues to provide long-term benefits to the fish, as well as to those dependent upon it for business and recreation. The scientific update was completed by a panel of experts selected by the Gulf Council and comprised of academic, state, and federal scientists.
NOAA is committed to responding as quickly as possible to any Gulf Council proposals to reward fishermen for their sacrifice while ensuring continued success in rebuilding this population. It is important to note that red snapper are managed separately in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic (North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida’s east coast).
