June 7, 2023 — For four generations, my family has been putting food on the table, both on our own and the nation’s, by fishing the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. You may say that it is in my blood, but the truth is fishing is in my heart – it’s part of my identity.
One thing that we’ve come to count on is that the decision-makers that manage our fisheries balance the need to produce sustainable domestic seafood, support fishing communities and provide recreational opportunities, while retaining plenty of fish in the water to ensure a good catch in following years. But now, I’m worried about the future of fishing in the Gulf. A big part of my concern can be tied to the lack of balanced representation on the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. We must ask ourselves, has maintaining sustainable fisheries taken a backseat to cronyism?
Not too long ago, fisheries management in the Gulf was working. Fish stocks were increasing, small family businesses were thriving and profitable, and we had fair representation in the management process. However, in the past few years that trend has reversed, and now species like gag and greater amberjack are facing 80 percent quota reductions because the stocks are not healthy. Coinciding with this downturn is a dramatic shift away from a well-balanced Gulf Council membership to one that is dominated by just a single sector—the private recreational sector.