Ahab's Journal

Red snapper rebounding in Gulf of Mexico, study finds

Government regulators have spent decades tinkering with fishing regulations meant to boost the Gulf of Mexico's ailing red snapper species to no avail, but new scientific data show the latest method may be working for the first time.

After years of piecemeal rules and a federal lawsuit filed by environmental groups, fisheries regulators clamped down on red snapper fishing in 2007, cutting fishing quotas nearly in half from the year before and shortening seasons for recreational anglers. The signature Gulf fish species has been a centerpiece on upscale menus across the country, but its popularity in recent decades pushed red snapper toward the brink of collapse.

The first scientific assessment since then shows that the Gulf's red snapper population, though still overfished, is rebounding from previous years.

The report found that regulators could loosen fishing regulations slightly from the strict ones currently in place. But it points out that sport fishers still exceed their allotted quotas, a source of concern in the scientific and environmental community.

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IFQs shrink harvester profit margins as management death sentence hovers

From National Fisherman:

The 2010 red snapper outlook is more convoluted and contradictory than usual.

Fishermen report abundant snapper, but the 2.55 million-pound Gulf of Mexico commercial quota continues.

Aside from the quota, the IFQ program seems to be working well for major shareholders. However, fishermen in the eastern gulf who have to rent allocation to participate are finding it harder to turn a profit.

On Florida’s Atlantic coast, supply is sufficient to undercut the gulf price by nearly a dollar. At the same time, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is pushing an amendment that, if implemented, would close almost all snapper-grouper fishing indefinitely — a virtual death sentence for commercial, charter and recreational fishing communities.

“What NMFS and the South Atlantic council is doing to the fishermen, dealers, communities and the anglers is bigger than the Florida net ban,” says Bob Jones, executive director of the Madeira Beach, Fla.-based Southern Offshore Fishing Association.

Written Comments on GMFMC King Mackerel Amendment

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GMFMC King Mackerel Amendment Scoping Comments

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Changes in Red Snapper Individual Fishing Quota Program in the Gulf of Mexico

On August 31, 2009, NOAA Fisheries Service published a rule in the Federal Register establishing a grouper and tilefish IFQ program for commercial fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico. This rule also made changes to the red snapper IFQ program to align that program with the grouper and tilefish IFQ program. On January 1, 2010, both IFQ programs will be merged into one online IFQ program with an updated format.

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Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Forming King Mackerel LAPP Panel

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is forming a new Ad Hoc Advisory Panel to consider the trading of catch shares and other issues related to limited access privilege programs for Gulf king mackerel.

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Goliath grouper harvest is discussed

At the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting in central Florida, commissioners were talking about reopening the fishery for goliath grouper -- closed for the past 19 years -- to a limited, recreational take.

FWC chairman Rodney Barreto told his colleagues he is under intense pressure from members of the public.

``Can we do a tag, a permit system?'' Barreto asked Mark Robson, the agency's saltwater fisheries administrator. ``I'm getting hammered everywhere I go. You've got to do something.''

Added commissioner Ron Bergeron: ``There's an awful lot of them out there. It's a resource we should look at for the benefit of the fishermen.''  

Read "Goliath grouper harvest is discussed"

Gulf stewardship

Two years after a system of shares for commercial fishers was instituted in the Gulf, observers say stocks of the desirable fish are improving. The shares, distributed in 2007 at no cost to the anglers, were based on their 10 best consecutive annual catches from 1990 to 2004.

A more complete analysis, due out in October, is expected to confirm the trend in more detail. Andy Strelcheck, a biologist for the federal fisheries, told the Chronicle's Matthew Tresaugue that the share system has contributed to improvement of snapper stocks, as has the shrinking of the Gulf's shrimping industry following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Shrimpers often unintentionally trap other species, including snapper, in their nets, contributing to the decline.

All this rates as good news for Gulf Coast residents who enjoy snapper on the plate, and for the overall health of the Gulf ecosystem. But there is much more to do to create a sustainable supply, according to Holly Binns of the Pew Charitable Trusts, a nonprofit organization that closely tracks stewardship of the world's fisheries. We urge that her views be given a full hearing.

Binns' immediate concern is the greatly expanded volume of recreational fishing and the unknown toll it is taking on stocks of red snapper across the Gulf. She says that no one has a good handle on the exact number of recreational anglers across the Gulf, and that there's no effective way of managing the catch taken by these fishermen.

Read "Gulf stewardship"

Fishermen face new rules

The consensus finally reached at Orange Beach, Ala., after years of study and weeks of townhall meetings, will cut the grouper fleet in the Gulf by half, from about 120 to 60, but protect the loggerhead sea turtle population, now thought to be in serious decline. 

Read "Fishermen face new rules"

Regulators Curb Longline Fishing in Gulf of Mexico to Protect Sea Turtles

Federal regulators voted last night to impose tough new restrictions on the commercial longline fishing fleet in the Gulf of Mexico in an attempt to protect marine turtles.

The new fishery-management plan would close certain areas, restrict fishing to boats that have brought in large catches in the past and reduce the number of hooks that can be used during fishing trips.

Read "Regulators Curb Longline Fishing in Gulf of Mexico to Protect Sea Turtles"

David Sikes is seeing red

Heated debate over snapper numbers still rages, even as party boats flourish

 So what’s all the fuss about?

It stems from a CCA document submitted to the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council as a way to shake up a broken regulatory process that was going nowhere with an outcome that was pleasing no one. The primary point of the paper was to spark discussion outside of traditional parameters and specifically to introduce an open or free market approach to the distribution of shares within the annual snapper quota.

By open market, I mean the CCA wanted recreational anglers to have access to commercial snapper allotments. Under the current system, commercial share holders may trade among themselves. In about 18 months commercial operations will be allowed to buy and sell all or part of their quotas to other commercial reef fishermen who don’t already own shares, but still only to other commercials. CCA would like to see some of the commercial allotment shift to the recreational side.

Why not make these shares available to individuals, charter outfits, party boats, states and organizations? The market would set the price, so potentially a commercial fisherman could boost his profits by working less. There is no question that a recreationally caught snapper is more valuable than one caught by a commercial boat.

Another aspect of the CCA plan calls for the creation and distribution of non-reusable snapper tags, which could be sold in lots to the highest bidder quarterly. 

Read "David Sikes is seeing red"

Gag Grouper Fishing Cuts Considered

"Get ready for more restrictions on grouper fishing.

After trying to reduce the gag grouper catch by 40 percent this year, federal regulators are contemplating an additional 80 percent cutback as early as next year.

West Florida's iconic grouper sandwich is in no immediate jeopardy. Substitute grouper species can fill gaps left by any shortage of gag.

But recreational anglers, who catch more gag than all other grouper, probably will endure restrictions that regulator Bob Gill called "ghastly."

Read "Gag Grouper Fishing Cuts Considered"

Grouper fishing hitting the skids

"CORTEZ — It might not be long before fishing boats at AP Bell Fish Co. are grounded.

Job security is also in jeopardy for the Cortez company’s 17 employees.

Karen Bell, office manager for AP Bell Fish Co., said the business is re-evaluating its operations due to fishing restrictions placed on commercial grouper in May. Others in the fishing industry say the new regulations are creating havoc that will result in job losses and higher fish prices."

Read "Grouper fishing hitting the skids"

       

Fishermen request more research on longlining

"TAMPA - Longline fishermen fought for their livelihoods Wednesday, urging federal regulators to find a way to keep their industry afloat while reducing sea turtle deaths from longline hooks.

Longliners asked the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to spend more time studying their industry's impact on sea turtles. If granted, the request could extend the emergency longline fishing restrictions that took effect in May.

Otherwise, fishermen said they feared the council would pass such draconian regulations that their industry would vanish, along with fishing villages such as Cortez and Madiera Beach."

Read "Fishermen request more research on longlining"

'Worst spring ever': Charter fishermen struggle to deal with stricter red snapper rules

"DESTIN - Last year at this time, gasoline was about $4 a gallon, but people still came here to enjoy the "The World's Luckiest Fishing Village."

Now that June is here, folks who want to fish in the Gulf of Mexico are back in large numbers. But people in the charter boat business say new red snapper regulations hurt them badly this spring. And they're not happy about what's ahead, when the law ends snapper fishing in the middle of August."

Read "'Worst spring ever': Charter fishermen struggle to deal with stricter red snapper rules"

 
 

Longline grouper fishing could face more restrictions

"Longline fishing for red grouper will likely be limited to very few individuals in the future, the result of tightening regulations meant to save Loggerhead sea turtles from extinction.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is considering new laws that would combine seasonal restrictions on longline grouper fishing and a gradual reduction in the number of fleets that will be allowed to operate, proposals fishing industry leaders call "premature and unjustified." "

Read "Longline grouper fishing could face more restrictions"

Fishermen eye new gag grouper regulations

"PANAMA CITY — For decades, commercial and recreational fishermen in the Panhandle have made a decent living catching gag grouper.

But many local fishermen fear this week could signal the beginning of the end - not for the gag grouper, but for them."

Read "Fishermen eye new gag grouper regulations"

  

Holy mackerel, lot’s of ’em

"Call it coincidence, karma or even cosmic conspiracy, but it’s somehow fitting that this past week, just as offshore anglers began reporting encountering the first waves of king mackerel around traditional warm-weather haunts off the upper Texas coast, federal fisheries officials told Congress that the once-collapsing king mackerel fishery has been rebuilt.

Federal management of the nation’s marine fisheries has had, and continues to have, its problems — the convoluted, confounding and controversial management of red snapper being the issue at which most Texas anglers would point when slamming federal controls.

But king mackerel have been a success story."

Read "Holy mackerel, lot’s of ’em"

Fishing ban may increase price of grouper

"The Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Council recommended the emergency ban to NOAA in January. The ban affects 104 fleets, which catch an estimated 60 to 70 percent of all grouper in the Gulf.

Restaurant owners and those in the fishing industry fear the ban will devastate business.

The ban will make grouper extremely expensive, "if you can even get it," said Jane Corliss, owner of Captain Eddie's Restaurant in Nokomis.

"The longliners are the biggest suppliers of grouper. It's going to really, really hurt." "

Read "Fishing ban may increase price of grouper"

Proposal may avoid shut down for longline grouper fishermen

"Commercial longline grouper fishermen, facing a devastating shutdown because of loggerhead turtle deaths, gained a possible reprieve Friday — but only in the long run.

Backed by an unusual alliance of fishermen and environmentalists, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council approved a proposal that would permanently cut Florida's longline fleet by about half and close off a large chunk of fishing grounds during summer."  

Read "Proposal may avoid shut down for longline grouper fishermen" 

Loggerhead turtle rule will hurt gulf's grouper industry

 

"Council members said lesser measures might allow more longlining in the future, including bait changes, shorter leaders and closed seasons. But those measures could take months, if not years, to study and implement.

Pushing longliners out to 300 feet or deeper "is kind of a temporary stopgap measure," said council member Roy Crabtree, who is also regional administrator for the National Marine Fisheries Service. "We couldn't come up with anything else to do in short term."

The council's reef fish committee had recommended Tuesday that the 300-foot rule stay in place for five months. The full council, which was meeting in Mississippi, extended that for up to a year, plus added another wrinkle that restricts grouper fishing even more."

Read "Loggerhead turtle rule will hurt gulf's grouper industry"

Grouper fishermen take a hit

"The reef fish committee of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council voted to banish longliners from their traditional fishing grounds for five months this year to protect loggerhead turtles that are drowning on their lines.

The proposal would restrict longlining to water 300 feet or deeper, on the belief that loggerheads, a federally protected species, usually don’t feed on the bottom that far out.

But neither do red grouper, the primary species that ends up between buns at local restaurants. Tourists and locals who savor West Florida’s signature fish can expect shortages of domestic fish and a new wave of imports."

Read "Grouper fishermen take a hit"

 

 

Turtles may be protected at expense of grouper eaters

"Fishermen, environmentalists and regulators are in rare agreement that the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, meeting in Mississippi, will probably crack down on long­liners — perhaps by forcing them so far beyond their typical fishing grounds that many will go out of business.

Longline boats currently catch 60 to 70 percent of the red grouper that Publix and many Tampa Bay restaurants rely on.

Imports from Mexico can fill the breach, but import quality can be spotty."

Read "Turtles may be protected at expense of grouper eaters"

Regional red snapper management will be topic of Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council

"In recent years, Florida and Texas have refused to follow federal regulations in their state waters. This caused a 45-day Gulf-wide reduction in the red snapper season this year when NMFS data showed an additional 500,000 pounds of fish had been caught within those states' marine boundaries in 2007. 

Bob Shipp said if the actions of Florida and Texas continue to cause Gulf fishermen to lose fishing days, the idea of regionalization could gain better political footing." 

Read "Regional red snapper management will be topic of Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council"

 

Anglers left seeing red over snapper squabble

Texas has, so far, stood firm in resisting federal pushes to give up management control of its state waters. But it’s also evident that federal marine fisheries managers (and fisheries officials from other Gulf states) are serious about getting Texas to fall into line.

There has been talk — rumors, so far — that federal fisheries officials will move to force Texas to acquiesce to federal red snapper seasons and limits by using authority granted in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. That federal law — the same one that mandates federal officials manage the red snapper fishery to prevent overfishing and recover the fishery — allows the Secretary of Commerce to mandate states set their marine fisheries regulations to mirror federal rules.

Read "Anglers left seeing red over snapper squabble"

Former fishery rivals pool resources to question grouper science

"The feds would cut up the pie, leave one little piece for the fishermen and say, 'Here you go, fight over it,' " said Dennis O'Hern of the newly formed Gulf Partnership for Marine Fisheries. "But we've wised up. Instead of working against each other to pick through the scraps, we are going to join forces and get a bigger piece of the pie."

Read "Former fishery rivals pool resources to question grouper science"

Snapper issue full of snags

"Some recreational interests contend the commercial snapper fishery needs to go. The economic benefit of recreational snapper fishing far outweighs that of the commercial fishery, they argue. Get rid of the commercial snapper fishery — or at least cut way back on its annual allocation of the TAC — and put those fish into the recreational allocation," reports the Houston Chronicle. Read "Snapper issue full of snags"

Snapper rules topic of meeting

A public meeting bringing a chief federal fisheries administrator to discuss controversial federal moves in management of red snapper, one of the most important recreational and commercial target species in the Gulf of Mexico, will be held Friday evening in Clear Lake. Continue reading "snapper rules topic of meeting"

Gag Grouper Controversy Continues

A respected consulting biologist pointed out to the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council last week that they were ignoring their own data in claiming gags are undergoing overfishing. Read "Gag Grouper Controversy Continues"

Regulators okay grouper rules

Pleas from the commercial and charter-boat industries don't halt the 45 percent reduction in Gulf of Mexico. Continue reading "Regulators okay grouper rules"

New rules will kill us, grouper fishers say

Federal regulators may cut gag fishing in the gulf by 45 pecent The proposed regulations would shut down recreational grouper fishing for three months in the winter and the commercial fishing season could close in October, forcing restaurants and consumers to rely on imports. Continue reading "New rules will kill us, grouper fishers say"