Rep. Cammack Joins Reps. Rutherford, Murphy In Letter To NOAA Administrator Calling For More Data Amid Consideration Of Red Snapper Fishery Closures
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL-03) joined Rep. John Rutherford (R-FL-04) and Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL-07) in sending a bipartisan, bicameral letter to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Richard Spinrad, calling for him to suspend further consideration of area closures in the South Atlantic until data from the ongoing South Atlantic Great Red Snapper Count can be integrated into management decisions.
Over the last 10 years, fishery managers have been successfully working to rebuild the red snapper stock in the South Atlantic. However, as the stock recovers, more fish are being caught and thrown back. Due to a lack of good independent data, South Atlantic red snapper seasons continue to be extremely limited, with only a two-day recreational season this year. To fill the gaps, Congress has appropriated $5.1 million over the last three years to do the South Atlantic Great Red Snapper Count, which will provide better data on total abundance, genomics, and mortality data.
“Fishing greatly impacts the Florida aquaculture industry and plays a vital role in our state’s economy,” said Rep. Cammack. “NOAA’s area closures in the South Atlantic have severely limited red snapper seasons, undermining the great work of our state’s fishery managers in having rebuilt the red snapper stock over the last ten years. As the only Florida Republican on the House Agriculture Committee, I’m proud to support this bill and the anglers of our state who are suffering from these unreasonable restrictions.”
“As an outdoorsman and proud angler, I understand the importance of strong, sustainable fisheries to our state and local economy,” said Rep. Rutherford. “While the two-day season this year was unacceptably short, full closures would destroy the livelihoods of many and decimate our local fishing economy. To make these sweeping management decisions without considering the independent data that is on the way would be irresponsible.”
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https://cammack.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cammack-joins-reps-rutherford-murphy-letter-noaa-administrator-calling
