NOAA increases Gulf of Mexico red snapper catch limit

Population rebounds as overfishing ends

May 29, 2012

Following an updated population assessment that shows overfishing of Gulf of
Mexico red snapper has ended and the population is rebounding, NOAA is
increasing the 2012 commercial and recreational fishing catch limits for the
species from 7.53 million pounds to 8.08 million pounds. The new rule takes
effect June 1.

"Fishermen should continue to see bigger fish and larger catches as the
population rebounds," said Sam Rauch, NOAA's acting assistant administrator
for fisheries. "I commend the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and
fishermen for their hard work and dedication, as red snapper truly is our
most challenging fishery to manage in the Gulf."

However, as the population of red snapper grows and the fish get bigger,
recreational fishermen catch their quota faster, resulting in a shorter
season. The 2012 recreational season will last 40 days, from June 1 through
July 10. Although this is shorter than the 48-day season in 2011, this
year's recreational season would have been even shorter without the new
catch increase.

Fishermen have targeted red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico since the late
1800s, and fishing pressure in the mid-1900's depleted the red snapper
population. In response to the population decline, fishery managers took
action, making adjustments to size limits and bag limits, and implementing a
catch share program for the commercial sector.

In 2007, strict commercial and recreational management measures were used to
end overfishing of red snapper and rebuild this depleted population.
Fishermen are now seeing the benefits of these measures, and these actions
are leading to increased catches.

NOAA begins work on a new population assessment for red snapper
<http://www.sefsc.noaa.gov/sedar/Sedar_Workshops.jsp?WorkshopNum=31>  in
August. The assessment involves three workshops to gather data, assess the
fish population and review the results. The workshops include fishermen as
well as state, federal and academic scientists. After the review, scientists
will present the results to fishery managers on the Gulf Council.

"The upcoming assessment will help us continue to gain a better
understanding of the red snapper population in the Gulf of Mexico," said
Richard Merrick, chief science advisor for NOAA's Fisheries Service.

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