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The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (GMFMC) is currently holding public hearings to solicit comments on Draft Amendment 50 – State Management of Recreational Red Snapper, which is supported by the recreational boating community. This amendment would provide flexibility to the Gulf states to set the recreational red snapper fishing season and potentially other management measures, much like under the current pilot program, and NMMA is encouraging all stakeholders to attend an upcoming meeting and convey the industry’s support for the amendment.

A full list of the meetings is available here: http://gulfcouncil.org/press/2018/gulf-council-to-hold-public-hearings-for-amendment-50-state-management-of-recreational-red-snapper/.

The Gulf of Mexico red snapper fishery has been plagued by controversy for years, but this year has been different. Through a pilot program, each Gulf state has been able to manage the 2018 red snapper season for private anglers, resulting in reasonable seasons and improved data collection across the board. And fortunately, there’s an opportunity on the horizon to provide a long-term solution to this issue – which will allow states to continue managing this fishery and avoid returning to the shortened seasons under federal management.

Please consider attending one of these meetings and voice your support for Draft Amendment 50: http://gulfcouncil.org/press/2018/gulf-council-to-hold-public-hearings-for-amendment-50-state-management-of-recreational-red-snapper/. 

For more information, please contact NMMA senior vice president of government relations and legal affairs, Nicole Vasilaros at [email protected].