Red snapper season start pushed back to June
The Associated Press
State wildlife officials are delaying the start for recreational harvest season for red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico.
The open season announced by The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission today now takes place from June 1 through Sept. 30. Originally the seasoned opened on April 15.
Researchers have said that red snapper is overfished in the Gulf. The wildlife commission says a shorter fishing season will reduce the harvest of Gulf red snapper and help rebuild the fishery's population.
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/apr/10/red-snapper-season-start-pushed-back-june/news-breaking/
They are over fished. Now if we could keep one once in a while. What are they waiting for? Untill you can catch them off the skyway.
I dont know where they get their info from. Last year diving I saw more than I ever have and in closer. They need to limit the long liners and shrimp trawlers. The by catch of a shrimp boat will make you sick.
I agree the commercial catch and by-catch is the main cause.I just cant understand the politics (yes money) under the controls of the fisheries.
Piad lobyist. The long liners are in trouble with the turtle by catch. there is tals of stopping longliner from fishing till the figure out how to adress the problem. I dont want to stop anybody from making a living but no one is looking out for the average angler.
