| On Gulf Red Snapper, Guyas noted that while state management has led to greater recreational access, and recent science has found red snapper to be three times more abundant than previously thought, challenges remain. Several states are facing significant catch limit reductions due to discrepancies between state and federal catch estimates, and overall catch limits have not meaningfully improved despite our better understanding of red snapper abundance.
After switching to South Atlantic Red Snapper issues, Guyas mentioned that while rebuilding the Atlantic red snapper fishery is a success story, managers have still not provided reasonable harvest opportunities for anglers. According to Guyas, “Questions have been raised by the SAFMC, scientists, and the public about whether the data and assumed reference points in the stock assessment are leading us to the wrong conclusion about this fishery being overfished and undergoing overfishing.”
When the hearing highlighted NOAA’s 10-knot vessel speed restriction to attempt and protect the North Atlantic Right Whale, Guyas noted how the slower travel may cause anglers to cancel fishing trips and that while ASA supports efforts to protect whales, this rule was rushed through by NOAA and is significantly flawed. Guyas noted, “Right whales deserve better protection, but vast, blanket speed restrictions that are not based on the best available science are not the solution.”
The final issue highlighted by Guyas was shark depredation, which occurs when a shark eats or damages a hooked fish prior to the fish being landed. Guyas highlighted ASA’s position on the management of shark depredation, noting, “We support a variety of methods to protecting sharks across four pillars: Education, Management, Policy and Research.” Guyas further stated, “ASA believes that fishery managers need to move beyond identifying the challenges with shark interactions and begin working collectively on solutions.”
ASA thanks Subcommittee Chairman Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) and Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) for holding this important hearing. The full video of the hearing may be found here. For more information on each of the above issues highlighted by Guyas, please visit ASA’s current issues page.
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