The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is considering six amendments that would allow the individual Gulf states to set their own seasons and potentially other management measures for the recreational red snapper fisheries in both state and federal waters off their coasts. The Gulf Council will be holding several public hearings across the Gulf coast to solicit public comments on these amendments, including:
- Monday, December 10, 2018 at 6 pm CST at the Embassy Suites on 4914 Constitution Avenue in Baton Rouge
- Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 5 pm CST via webinar .
Other hearing locations and dates are listed on the Gulf Council’s website . You can also submit written comments via the Gulf Council’s website or email to [email protected] . Written comments must be received on or before 5 pm Eastern (4 pm Central) on Tuesday, January 22, 2019.
Recreational offshore anglers and charter captains have a vested interest in the Gulf Council’s decision on these amendments. We encourage you to participate in the amendment’s development—it is important that the Gulf Council hears and considers your preferences. The final amendments will set the framework within which the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission will work to establish rules for the state’s recreational red snapper fishery. If the final amendments reflect your preferences, the Commission will have a better foundation for addressing the desires of Louisiana’s recreational fishing community. The Gulf Council is expected to make a final decision on these amendments at their January 28-31, 2019 meeting in Orange Beach, Alabama.
For more information on these amendments, see our Louisiana Recreational Reef Fish Management Plan page . You can also contact Chris Schieble at [email protected] or 504-284-2035.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is charged with managing and protecting Louisiana’s abundant natural resources. For more information, visit us atwww.wlf.la.gov. To receive email alerts, signup at http://www.wlf.la.gov/signup.