According to a recent survey conducted by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife Fisheries (LDWF), recreational fishermen, regardless of being a private angler or a charter boat captain, overwhelmingly support transferring responsibility for managing the recreational red snapper fishery from federal authorities to state agencies like LDWF. LDWF sent the online survey out to all recreational fishermen who hold a Louisiana Recreational Offshore Landings Permit, which is required to fish offshore for species like red snapper, to find out what they think about future management options for the red snapper fishery.
“We always hear from the same people at Gulf Council meetings and public hearings about red snapper management. Unfortunately, we rarely hear from Louisiana anglers and charter captains,” said Robert Barham, Secretary, LDWF. “This survey was an effort to reach out to our stakeholders and get their opinions. We really appreciate their valuable feedback.”
Of the 19,000-plus survey recipients, nearly 6,000 fishermen responded to the survey. In addition to asking fishermen their opinions on recreational red snapper fishery management, LDWF asked respondents to indicate whether they are a private angler or a charter captain and to provide their zip code. The majority of respondents were private anglers (96.2%); 61 federally-permitted charter captains responded (1.1%) and 148 state charter captains (no federal permit) responded (2.7%). Most respondents reside in Louisiana; however, residents of other Gulf states and states outside the Gulf also responded. Survey results are below:
Who should manage the recreational red snapper fishery?
|
|
Private Anglers |
Federal Charter |
State Charter |
|
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and NOAA Fisheries (status quo) |
3.9% |
14.8% |
3.4% |
|
State agencies should have some management authority |
87.2% |
80.3% |
90.5% |
Would you support or oppose a proposal to move ALL authority for managing recreational red snapper in the Gulf from the Council to state agencies?
|
|
Private Anglers |
Federal Charter |
State Charter |
|
Strongly Oppose |
4.0% |
14.8% |
5.4% |
|
Moderately Oppose |
4.2% |
4.9% |
4.1% |
|
Neither Oppose nor Support |
10.0% |
8.2% |
6.8% |
|
Moderately Support |
16.5% |
11.5% |
9.5% |
|
Strongly Support |
65.3% |
60.7% |
74.3% |
Should private anglers and charter boats be managed separately?
|
|
Private Anglers |
Federal Charter |
State Charter |
|
State agencies should only manage private anglers and state charter boats; the Council and NOAA should manage federal charter boats |
13.5% |
12.2% |
12.1% |
|
State agencies should manage both groups separately; each group could have different seasons, bag limits, etc. |
39.0% |
53.1% |
40.9% |
|
State agencies should manage both groups together as one; both groups would have the same seasons, bag limits, etc. |
43.6% |
28.6% |
43.2% |
Would you like to see management authority changed for other species such as amberjack and grouper?
|
|
Private Anglers |
Federal Charter |
State Charter |
|
No |
3.5% |
6.8% |
1.6% |
|
Yes |
96.5% |
93.2% |
98.4% |
There are ongoing efforts through both Congress and the Gulf Council (Reef Fish Amendment 39) to transfer some or all authority for the red snapper fishery to the Gulf states. LDWF will continue to advocate on behalf of its stakeholders and press Congress and the Gulf Council for state-based management of red snapper. We also encourage our recreational fishermen to speak out at the upcoming Gulf Council public hearings on Amendment 39, including one at the Doubletree Hotel in Baton Rouge at 6 pm on November 2. The Council will also hold a public hearing via webinar at 5 pm on October 28. “Public testimony has been monopolized by paid non-governmental organizations who have no direct interest in the fishery—it is now more important than ever for those with a direct stake in the fishery, like those we surveyed, to come out and voice their concerns at these public meetings,” said Randy Pausina, LDWF Assistant Secretary for Fisheries.
The video below further explains why the five Gulf state marine fisheries directors support state management of red snapper and have aligned their positions with their constituents who are directly involved in this fishery.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us at www.wlf.la.gov or www.FishLA.org. To receive recreational or commercial fishing email and text alerts, signup at http://www.wlf.la.gov/signup