Proposed closure of red snapper fishing raises concerns of economic impacts

Posted

By: Jessica O’Connor

At the time of press, the South Carolina Boating and Fishing Alliance (SCBFA) will take part in the South Atlantic Fishery Management council meeting in Charleston on September 14th to fight against the proposed closure of red snapper fishing. There is additional concern that this course of action could lead to the closure of all bottom fishing.

According to the SCBFA, senators and congressmen from South Carolina were among those who co-signed on correspondence with NOAA asking that a decision to close red snapper fishing in the South Atlantic not be made until data from the South Atlantic Great Red Snapper Count could be used in the formulation of any plans made. This study, which received $5.1 million from Congress to be facilitated, has been taking place over the past three years to get a clearer picture of red snapper numbers. Although there has been an effort to rebuild the snapper stock in the South Atlantic over the past 10 years, lack of reliable data has led to seasons being exceedingly short. In fact, this year the recreational season will only be two days.

In a statement on the SCBFA website, CEO Gettys Brannon noted, “The South Carolina Boating and Fishing Alliance (SCBFA) appreciates the support on this issue from our members of Congress. Our Alliance members understand the importance of strong and sustainable fisheries to our economy. While the two-day fishing season for red snappers this year is ridiculously short, full closures would be devastating for the livelihoods of many and would decimate our local fishing economy. We have made progress in reviving the South Atlantic red snapper stock, and the ongoing Great Red Snapper Count will provide important data to demonstrate progress. Full area closures without the benefit of the research data would be a bureaucratic overreach of the worst kind.”

Red snapper season has a sizable economic impact on the South Atlantic region. In the letter to NOAA Administrator Richard Spinrad (spearheaded by Congressman John Rutherford of Florida, with help from the American Sportfishing Association and SCBFA), it was stated that “Red snapper is a highly sought-after species in the South Atlantic and a major economic driver. In 2018 alone, the 6-day recreational season added $13 million to the gross domestic product (GDP) for the region.”

Closures in red snapper season would impact the coastal economy in a variety of sectors, from commercial fishermen, to guides, to all of the area businesses who service anglers.

The letter went on to note that the general consensus among many anglers is that a large number of red snappers are caught even outside of the short seasons. This naturally leads to a high number of fish being thrown back, which in turn increases the number of fish who succumb to injury. As a result, this circles back to result in short seasons (or closures) being implemented-which completes a non-productive cycle for the issue at hand.

Proposals have also been made to ban the use of automatic rod and reels for recreational snapper and grouper fishing as a solution. Exceptions would be made for those with physical disabilities.

More information about this ongoing issue will be forthcoming after the council meeting. Anglers can follow the South Carolina Boating and Fishing Alliance on Facebook and on their website at https://www.scbfa.com/ for pertinent news and informative articles for fishing enthusiasts.