A recent study found gag and red grouper fishing in the Gulf would yield “maximum economic value to the state” only if it allocated 100 percent of the fishery to recreational fishermen. To put it bluntly—cut out all commercial fishing pressure from the fishery and it helps Florida’s economy. The CCA-sponsored study was released just in time for a Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meeting in Mississippi (Jan. 26–29) which will discuss grouper management.

“Most in the recreational community would not be surprised by these results, but I think many federal managers have ignored this reality,” said Frederic Miller, chairman of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) National Government Relations Committee. “This fishery would yield more jobs and economic output from a 100 percent recreational allocation.”

The study was conducted by Brad Gentner, who ran the recreational economics data collection program for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for eight years before starting his own company, Gentner Consulting Group. His study found, among other things, recreational gag grouper fishing generates $107 million in value added [to the economy], $60.8 million in income, and supports 1,513 jobs; recreational red grouper fishing generates $35.2 million in value added, $20 million in income and supports 501 jobs.

When compared to commercial fishing, the numbers are staggering. Take a look at some of the numbers: commercial gag grouper fishing generates only $16 million in valued added, $7.7 million in income and supports 322 jobs. Gentner reports the majority of the economic impacts in the commercial sector in both gag and red grouper fisheries occur in the retail and restaurant sectors, but that those sectors would minimally effected by a 100 percent recreational allocation.