July 25, 2015 — WASHINGTON — Red snapper has become the focus of the battle between fisherman and environmentalists, and the catalyst for members of Congress, who represent Gulf Coast states, to push legislation that would allow for longer seasons and larger limits.
The fish has become the symbol of recreational fishers’ frustration with federal management.
Anglers say they are now seeing an abundance of the early maturing reef fish that can live to the age of 57.
Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., introduced a bill Thursday that would transfer management of the red snapper fishery from the federal government to five Gulf states out to nine miles from shore. Currently, state management ends at 3 miles offshore in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. (Texas and Florida state waters extend to 9 miles already).
“When I was growing up, we could fish snapper year round; this year’s recreational season was just 10 days,” Graves said. “Our state-based approach will eliminate failed federal fish management that saw only one weekend of red snapper fishing in federal waters, while preventing overfishing.”
Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Tuscaloosa, Ala., has included similar language in an appropriations bill heading to the floor.
In many ways, the battle over red snapper is emblematic of the conflict over the nation’s fishing laws. Lawmakers are caught between environmentalists and the fishermen back home.
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