SEAFOODNEWS.COM by Michael Ramsingh — June 26, 2014 — The Texas Retailers Association has backed a coalition of Gulf seafood industry advocates that opposes a Council proposal that would permanently shift a large portion of sustainably-caught Gulf of Mexico red snapper out of the consumer market.
The Association has joined Share the Gulf-Texas, a group working to make sure the management of our Gulf fisheries remains fair and sustainable. The coalition said both the recreational and commercial industries are important to the Texas economy and that if managed well, our fisheries can provide enough for everyone to enjoy the resource.
But the coalition disagrees with a recent decision by the Gulf Fishery Management Council that would reallocate a portion of the commercial red snapper quota to the recreational sector–a position Texas retailers support.
“We believe this proposal will hurt Texas’ seafood providers and its economy while doing nothing to help the recreational fishery,” said Ronnie Volkening, President & CEO of the Texas Retailers Association. “Recreational fishermen deserve better than this false promise and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council should work with fishermen who are at the table to explore new management policies for anglers that can actually extend sustainable fishing seasons.”
The proposal, called “Amendment 28”, would take nearly half a million pounds of sustainably-caught red snapper off the consumer market next year and severely restrict future increases in favor of allocating more to the recreational fishery. The fishery is currently split nearly 50/50 between recreational and commercial fishermen.
“We are proud of have the Texas Retailers Association as a part of Share the Gulf and hope that our fishery leaders see, like TRA has, that this issue effects more than just fishermen,” said Bubba Cochrane, commercial fishermen from Galveston, Texas and Share the Gulf co-chair. “Whether you enjoy buying red snapper at your grocery store, at a restaurant or enjoy catching it yourself, this proposal will hurt you.”
Analysis of the proposal shows that under current management conditions this shift could only add a day (at most) to next year’s recreational season and limited increases in subsequent. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will meet in Key West, Florida this week and is expected to consider taking allocation changes out of the proposal.
“Recreational and commercial fishing are tremendous industries in Texas, representing millions of dollars and thousands of jobs. We believe that it is possible to establish and maintain sound fisheries management policies that work for both groups,” said Volkening.
This story originally appeared on SeafoodNews.com, a subscription site. It is reprinted with permission.