In an announcement on May 4, Louisiana fisheries officials reacted to an unprecedented 40-day red snapper season this year for red snapper in the western Gulf of Mexico by announcing a formal break from NOAA fisheries starting in 2013. That means, like Texas, Louisiana will no longer mirror red snapper seasons set for federal waters by adopting the same regulations for state waters. Instead, it plans to implement a "Louisiana-only" red snapper recreational season which will last far longer, from late March through September in state waters. In addition, the Lousiana Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider extending the definition of state waters from the traditional 9 statute miles to 9 nautical miles or slightly over 10 statute miles, thereby adding to the area that anglers can legally fish for red snapper during the Louisiana-only season.
Louisiana to Defy NOAA Fisheries on Red Snapper Fishing
I live in Florida and like BamaJDK wish FWC had the intestinal fortitude to also defy NOAA. Also like the idea of 9 nautical mile state line vs statute mile line.
Everyone needs to get out and VOTE out all incumbents and send a real message that we are not going to put up with their corruption and defiance of the will of the American people.
Tight lines!
BK
HOORAY!!! Here in Florida, the "King Crab" controls all and our FWC refuses to buck the feds.
Good for Louisiana! I have been trying to get Alabama to do this for 2 years since I moved here from Texas. Sad to see that our leaders have failed to show enough balls to defend the state from the tryanny of our federal government. NOAA's logic is so blatantly flawed, even by their own admission, that no one can be expected to let themselves be subjected by the insane regulations.
Alabama's problem is worse... they let the US Supreme Court tell them that since they worded their original state constitution differently than Loiusiana or Texas, that Bama doesn't get the same 9 mile boundry. Feds tell Alabama that we only get 3 miles. So we have to fight that too along w/ the NOAA regulations.
Wish us well... And I will see you all in Loiusiana for some good fishing next year!!
NOAA is out of touch with REAL fisherman and the fish stocks. They ruined the Seabass and Blackfish fishery in New Jersey.
I say good for any state the has the nerve to defy NOAA the home of highly inaccurate data.
Now it's time for Florida to act we have Red Snapper in abundance and we have to make a break with the regulation's NOAA imposses.
Congats to Texas and Louisiana.
Louisiana continues to get better and better. NOAA is as messed up as FEMA, we need less federal regulation! I have fished of the coast of Louisiana for 30 years and I have never seen so many snapper. Not to mention they are huge!
This is a very slippery slope when it comes to fisheries managment.
Should Virginia have its own regulations for Menhadden, how about New York, maybe they should have thier own regs for Blackfish.
A seen from the long term - this leads nowhere good.
It's a shame the figures are so skewed to disallow recreational fisherman to catch Red Snapper. North Carolina has always seemed to be behind the times and not proactive for the recreational guys. NC seems to be followers instead of leaders in this arena. NC needs to perform a REAL study to set laws that are prudent for our state.
Florid"s economy depends on tourism for jobs !! it should be 1st to give us a 6 month 2 fish limit on red snapper.. they are OVER populating and running off other species like grouper !!!
I am very proud of Louisanna for standing up for its fisherman...now Florida needs to tell the federal agencies to stand down.
I live in Texas, and I am very proud of TP&WD (Texas parks & wildlife department) for standing their ground to NOAA and gulf coast fisheries when it comes to the Red Snapper regulations, cud-dos to TP&WD for it. I believe that the proses is very political and we, the recreational anglers get the short end of the stick, even though we contribute an enormous amount of money to the economy, NOAA has made it very hard on us to be able to justify the long trips, weather permitting, to catch two red snapper per person. So good for you Louisiana! it's good to see you looking out for your citizens.on a different note NOAA should leave the old oil platforms alone, they have forced the oil companies to remove hundreds of them in the middle Texas coast and I'm sure other parts of the Gulf of Mexico, and what they don't realize is the devastation of our beloved Red Snapper, not only is their habitat being destroyed, but the companies removing them do not care for the fish living in and around them and the blast these rigs killing everything in its path. I would like to see NOAA address that devastating problem if they care so much about RED SNAPPER
Florida should follow suit so our state will give the little guy a chance.
Each state going its own way sounds like a prescription for disaster.
Not saying I'm familiar with Louisana's situation or fish populations--it just seems to me that without an overall governing body to make regulation that all states have to live with we could end up hoping that 50 different decisions regarding seasons are better than one--not likely.
I live in Washington state. Salmon migrate through Alaska, British Columbia and eventually down to Washington, Oregon and California. Without cooperation, between all parties involved, these runs of magnificent fish would have been gone long ago.
Fish don't recognize state lines; what one state does will effect others.
When is someone going to get common sense on the size - I know that we have caught numerous snapper that were not large enough and even though we try to save them by letting the air out - most die - what a waste - catch and throw back 40 snapper that die to catch one leagle one. IF the rule was you can only catch 4 snapper per person period then 36 will survive. But again you have government running things - Good for LA and Texas for standing up for some things
Good on ya Louisiana! Texas is opened year-round and should be open all the way out to the shelf. The Gulf of Mexico really needs to be divided into two zones - East and West. The Western gulf should be open six months at least for red snapper and six months for amberjack. NOAA should also pay attention to spawns. Why is it that we have the federal season opening in the middle of their biggest spawn time of the year? Every red snapper I clean in June is full of eggs. Open it mid July or even December through April.
Am glad to see a state finally do the right thing for their fisherman. For many years NOAA has used inaccurate data to formulate seasons and limits. By so doing their poor management has caused many problems for everyone involved from the local tackle shops , guides , motels , baitshops and anyone else who benefit from our recreation... I only hope other states decide to follow the example Louisiana has decided to take.
You go LA. Let's try that with black sea bass in NC. What an Effing joke. Ncdmf and NOAA obviously have too much on their plates to do proper scientific population studies!!!!!
Come on Alabama and Florida you need to follow this
Lead NOAA has been bullying us long enough
They are not interested in anything helpful or useful for the recreational
Fisherman I've seem and caught more snappers in the past few years
And it's not because of any quota implemented on us
About time someone stood up to the BS regulations and restrictions placed on "our" fishery. ARS are more plentiful now then ever.
What!? How dare the State of Louisiana defy the Feds! We ALL know that Uncle Sam knows what's best ...
Big deal How many snapper are caught in state waters? I agree that NOAA seems to be trying to put a stop to charter boat recreational fishing but I really don't see how LA's move will improve anything other than a protest against NOAA.........Will there State members of NOAA resign.....I seriously doubt it.....All of this NOAA is political anyway......
About darn time. I have personally written to Governor and Senators of Alabama to do this several times over the last 2 years. Alabama is too chicken. Guess I will be looking for a house in Louisiana soon...if they will let a Crimson Tide fan move there!
Congrats Louisiana. You have a State Gov't that is actually working for you!
Way to go LA.. The government is gettin' to big for its britches. I fished the gulf last month and there are more fish then there was before Katrina or the BP disaster.
