Press Releases

Congressman Garret Graves (South Louisiana) released a statement following the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council voting to allow state management of Recreational Red Snapper for Private Anglers:

"This is more great news for normal, everyday people across Louisiana and the Gulf Coast who love being on the water. With the Modern Fish Act as the new law of the land, we're starting to reap the benefits of the years of relentless advocacy from private anglers and making the case in Congress for states-based fisheries management. Momentum is on our side, and this is just the latest data point along the new course we're charting: better science, improved access and enhanced sustainability for this treasured public resource."

Background:

Last year, Congressman Garret Graves introduced the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act, a bill designed to provide resource managers with more flexibility compared to the previous system. Through months of hard work and grassroots advocacy, the Modern Fish Act passed the house of representatives and eventually the senate, setting the stage for Reef Fish Amendment 50 to keep the momentum going.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met this week in Biloxi, Mississippi and took final action on Reef Fish Amendment 50: State Management for Recreational Red Snapper.

The Council chose to delegate management authority of the private angling component for recreational red snapper fishing to each state. Each state will be allocated the portion of the recreational quota it initially requested in the 2018-2019 exempted fishing permit application, with the remaining 3.78% distributed between Florida and Alabama. Those values are as follows:

Alabama Florida Louisiana Mississippi Texas

26.298% 44.822% 19.120% 3.550% 6.210%

The Council also elected to delegate authority for establishing or modifying the bag limit, minimum size limit within 14-18 inches, and maximum size limit. Finally, the Council selected to allow a state to close areas of federal waters adjacent to the state by requesting that NMFS implement the closure.

These suggested management changes will be transmitted to the Secretary of Commerce for approval and implementation.

About Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional Fishery Management Councils established by the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Council prepares fishery management plans, which are designed to manage fishery resources within the 200-mile limit of the Gulf of Mexico.