Skip to main content

Disputed Atlantic Red Snapper Closure Rolls On

Judd Lee caught this red snapper while fishing on the party boat Mayport Princess out of Mayport, FL.

As anglers are still locked out of the Atlantic red snapper fishery (except for two token three-day weekends) evidence mounts that the stocks of fish are extremely abundant. Still, the National Marine Fisheries Service keeps its head deep in the sand and dallies on updating its controversial assessments.

Fishing conservationists should continue to bombard officials and politicians with protests against the closure. Unfortunately, many citizens have given up in the face of complex tables and mystifying claims by the NMFS staff.

A solid summary of the situation comes from Dave Nelson, a hands-on veteran fisherman and researcher who has exposed much of the government's controversial claims of red snapper depletion. Nelson summarizes:

"The red snapper science was part of the hysteria surrounding the worldwide panic of overfishing that occurred after the collapse of the cod in the early 1990's and before.

"The major problem is that all of the science in the South Atlantic should be treated differently because all fish species are caught with hook and line or limited traps. This is especially true for red snapper as we know now that the older fish are protected by their own behavior, when they become loners as adults in deeper water. Also, there is no shrimp trawl bycatch of red snapper compared to the Gulf of Mexico.

"In an ideal fishery you protect the youngest fish so that they can spawn at least once before they are targeted and you protect the older fish because they lay the most eggs. The red snapper fishery in the South Atlantic has had both of these conditions since 1992 with the 20 inch size limit and the longline ban. The problem is that enough data was not collected during the important time after these regs were enacted and scientists previously had little knowledge about selectivity and the fishery itself when the science leading to the closure was completed.

" Once these problems due to the lack of data and knowledge about red snapper life history are corrected then we should be back to fishing at 2 per person year-around. Unfortunately the new science is not scheduled until 2014."

So, be patient perhaps while Floridians continue to suffer millions of dollars in socio-economic damges caused by erroneous findings based on outdated and wrong stock assessment numbers.

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

The fiberglass masters at Wildfire Marine demonstrate how to properly repair damaged gelcoat from start to finish. Repai...
Videos

The Most Underrated Fishing Kayak Build: Hobie Mirage Revolution 13

The fiberglass masters at Wildfire Marine demonstrate how to properly repair damaged gelcoat from start to finish. Repai...
Gear

How to Transport Kayaks, the Easy Way: Yakima EasyRider Trailer Review

The fiberglass masters at Wildfire Marine demonstrate how to properly repair damaged gelcoat from start to finish. Repai...
Gear

Are Inflatable Kayaks Any Good? NRS Pike Walkthrough and Features

The fiberglass masters at Wildfire Marine demonstrate how to properly repair damaged gelcoat from start to finish. Repai...
Gear

Slayer Propel Max 12.5 Walkthrough: Innovative Design at its Finest

The fiberglass masters at Wildfire Marine demonstrate how to properly repair damaged gelcoat from start to finish. Repai...
Gear

Jackson Coosa FD Walkthrough: Feature Rich, Big-Boy Approved Pedal Kayak

The fiberglass masters at Wildfire Marine demonstrate how to properly repair damaged gelcoat from start to finish. Repai...
Gear

Best Lightweight Kayak On The Market? Hobie Lynx Review & Features

The fiberglass masters at Wildfire Marine demonstrate how to properly repair damaged gelcoat from start to finish. Repai...
Gear

11 New Kayak Accessories for the Ultimate Kayak Fishing Rig

The fiberglass masters at Wildfire Marine demonstrate how to properly repair damaged gelcoat from start to finish. Repai...
Gear

How to Repair Damaged Gelcoat the Right Way

Florida Sportsman Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

Preview This Month's Issue

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Florida Sportsman App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Florida Sportsman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now