Gulf red snapper fishery on the rebound

[Hetland]

Anyone who's been in the Gulf knows that the snapper populations are pretty healthy. Now it looks like the decision makers are starting to get the same idea. Personally, I would be okay with a two fish limit for another year or two, but I think more needs to be done about undersized fish being thrown back. Despite the requirements, fishermen are simply not venting their return catches. That's bad for everyone. I'm perfectly happy eating a 15" red snapper, and I think practically, keeping the first 2-4 fish you catch would be helpful to the snapper population, and eventually helpful for fishermen and divers.

Federal regulators say Gulf red snapper fishery on the rebound - al.com

 

[GROUPER321]

Yeah, i agree, when you all were on the Freighter there was a boat that was bottom fishing, and i saw them throw probally 10 to 12 short scamp, and some snapper, didnt think there were any left. It was sad to see them float off and die, sad. Fisherman need to vent there catch period. Plus I would be fine with one snapper and one under sized snapper, for the entire year.

 

[PatMyGreen]

Well said hetland, if only the regulators would believe in such a straight forward approach. Now I would think the first 5 fish is probably a better number since not everyone gets to go all that often and those of us that do can opt to simply take what we need. I have long thought this would satisfy the requirements mandated for ecosystem based regulations and be best for the fishery by limiting regulatory discards to zero.... but from what I have seen its much more about politics than science or the health of the fishery, although lipservice is paid to those concepts.

I'm glad I'm no tthe only nutcase out there.