Gulf Council At It Again

[Blue Fin Charters]

Originally Posted by Calmday

Yeah been seeing this.I honestly believe that the reduction of shrimp trawls in the GOM is the biggest factor in the Red Snapper fishery coming back to an over populated condition. I would much rather see fishermen get a longer season to control the population than to see 21% more juvenile snapper killed in a shrimp trawl

You have to remember that years ago, when gulf shrimping was really thriving, there were little to no regulations in the snapper fisheries. Recreational, for-hire, and commercial red snapper fishing was a free for all. Shrimp trawls had no bycatch reduction devices or turtle excluding devises. Most people in the red snapper industry blamed shrimpers, not wanting to shoulder any of the blame for over fishing. Snapper fishing regulations were equally as important as changes to shrimp trawls. The evolution of bycatch reduction devices in shrimp trawls cost operators a lot of money. If you cut a hole in a net to allow a fish to swim out, shrimp can exit that same hole. It was something that had to be addressed, but commercial shrimped paid a big price with catch losses. The red snapper fisheries is now stronger than ever, and can definitely handle more fishing pressure. The number of gulf shrimp boats is at an all time low and will not rebound. With the low number of boats and the extent of bycatch reduction efforts in trawls, they will not come close to the bycatch issues of everyone is remembering. The amount of observers compared to the amount of boats has also changed. We use to operate a fleet of gulf shrimp boats and would sometimes go a season or two without an observer on any boat. The last few years of operating one boat we would get an observer each year. You can not refuse the observers. If you don’t comply, you don’t get your license renewed. I recently sold our last shrimp boat, and currently own two charter boats.

[Kenner21]

Originally Posted by Blue Fin Charters

You have to remember that years ago, when gulf shrimping was really thriving, there were little to no regulations in the snapper fisheries. Recreational, for-hire, and commercial red snapper fishing was a free for all. Shrimp trawls had no bycatch reduction devices or turtle excluding devises. Most people in the red snapper industry blamed shrimpers, not wanting to shoulder any of the blame for over fishing. Snapper fishing regulations were equally as important as changes to shrimp trawls. The evolution of bycatch reduction devices in shrimp trawls cost operators a lot of money. If you cut a hole in a net to allow a fish to swim out, shrimp can exit that same hole. It was something that had to be addressed, but commercial shrimped paid a big price with catch losses. The red snapper fisheries is now stronger than ever, and can definitely handle more fishing pressure. The number of gulf shrimp boats is at an all time low and will not rebound. With the low number of boats and the extent of bycatch reduction efforts in trawls, they will not come close to the bycatch issues of everyone is remembering. The amount of observers compared to the amount of boats has also changed. We use to operate a fleet of gulf shrimp boats and would sometimes go a season or two without an observer on any boat. The last few years of operating one boat we would get an observer each year. You can not refuse the observers. If you don’t comply, you don’t get your license renewed. I recently sold our last shrimp boat, and currently own two charter boats.

All that being said, why pass any new regulations that allow for an already dirty fishery to kill more juvenile snapper. Leave well enough alone, imho

[steverino]

The past changes resulted in a rebound in snapper numbers (actual or perceived) and we the consumers have adjusted and live with the increased price of shrimp as a result of a reduction in the number of shrimpers and the use of bycatch reduction devices. So in my humble opinion they just need to increase the number of snapper allowed to be retained (like TPWD did for redfish) and/or increase the snapper season. Isn't this how it was suppose to work?

[Blue Fin Charters]

Originally Posted by Kenner21

All that being said, why pass any new regulations that allow for an already dirty fishery to kill more juvenile snapper. Leave well enough alone, imho

I understand 100% where you are coming from. It’s like most fishery issues, not everyone going to agree with everything. Shrimpers will tell you they have sacrificed a lot to improve a fishery that doesn’t financially benefit them. We look at rules and regulations that pertain to Improving snapper biomass differently. The rebound of red snapper is more beneficial to us, the recreational fisherman and CFH.

[Blue Fin Charters]

Originally Posted by steverino

The past changes resulted in a rebound in snapper numbers (actual or perceived) and we the consumers have adjusted and live with the increased price of shrimp as a result of a reduction in the number of shrimpers and the use of bycatch reduction devices. So in my humble opinion they just need to increase the number of snapper allowed to be retained (like TPWD did for redfish) and/or increase the snapper season. Isn't this how it was suppose to work?

I agree.

[Totally Tuna]

BlueFin, I can assure you the years of a 9 day season, and a 3 day season thrown in for good measure is more pain than the commercial shrimpers have endured. Until we can get a snapper season from Memorial day to Labor day or longer we don't need measures that will ensure lower recruitment of juvenile snapper.