Statement of November 16, 2009

This statement is in response to misrepresentations of the Gulf Coast’s Commercial fisheries coming from a few Recreational fishing groups recently, particularly those of the Coastal Conservation Association. We're proud to provide factual information on the issues, supported by scientific data, so that those with an interest in Gulf Coast fisheries can ultimately collaborate from fair and informed positions.

 Statement of November 16, 2009

The Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance helps the commercial fishing industry work cooperatively with regulators, recreational fishermen, environmentalists and communities to revive our valuable reef fish stocks, fishing businesses and coastal communities.  This statement is in response to misrepresentations of the Gulf’s commercial fisheries presented recently by recreational fishing groups, especially the Coastal Conservation Association.

We understand the frustration of recreational fishermen working under failing management and flawed science in the red snapper and other reef fisheries.  But anglers are not victims, and there are no conspiracies by the government, environmentalists or Commercial fishermen to diminish the importance of sport fishing.  The recreational sector needs to step-up to the table with new, workable ideas – not just proposals to re-shape the status quo and reallocate all reef fish to sportsmen.

Until recently, the commercial fishery faced severe problems with red snapper under the old derby system.  Nothing changed until we came to the table with solutions to stop the waste of fish and economic decline. In the regulatory process, we weathered heated discussions, alternating periods of discouragement and enthusiasm, and years of work. 

This wasn’t easy, but new management with individual fishing quotas is working.  The commercial red snapper season extended from short mini-seasons to year-round.  We live within our catch limits, and can keep and count the fish we catch.  We time fishing with market demand and can run efficient operations.  This sensible management has allowed families and businesses to recover after recent hurricanes and times of financial distress. Regulators have documented positive results, and environmentalists and eco-friendly seafood markets are highlighting our success.  We expect the same benefits for the grouper and tilefish fisheries that will be added to the IFQ program in January.

These few important points address recent misstatements:

1. Efforts by commercial fishermen to conserve fish and improve their livelihoods are not threats to anglers.  They are good for everyone because they help rebuild the fisheries we share and strengthen the communities where we all work and live.
2. Commercial IFQs are demonstrated to help end overfishing and ensure that fisheries are a contribution, not a drain, on communities.  Economists and scientists around the world have documented the success of IFQs compared to traditional derby management.
3. IFQs do not allocate fish between commercial and recreational fishermen.  This process is entirely separate, and for red snapper the allocation was set in 1991.  IFQs do a better job than derbies of managing fish that are already allocated to commercial fishermen.  With or without IFQs, allocation and re-allocation between sectors is always difficult.
4. The Alliance is open to fish trading between sectors. However, substantial discussions depend on the recreational sector matching the commercial fishery’s accountability and management with their own appropriate systems.  Otherwise, fish transfers to the recreational sector would violate conservation laws and reverse emerging successes.
5. We do not buy-into the argument that we must wait for “better data” to fix management.  We believe good data and accurate counts of fish can only be derived from fisheries with credible management plans.
6. Commercial reef fish management is on the right track, but we know the IFQ programs are not perfect.  We invite CCA and all fishermen to join our appeal for more on-board observers and video cameras, and increased diligence in reporting illegal activities.
7. The Alliance is open to all ideas that save fish and provide accountability.  There are good reasons to believe that IFQs can improve management of the for-hire recreational sector, and private anglers would be better off with a harvest tagging system.  These could be designed to lead to year-round fishing and reductions of discards. 

Efforts to use litigation to stop successful commercial management and spread misinformation will not help recreational fishermen or the fish stocks.  The stage is already set for recreational fishermen: Gulf region managers have established recreational advisory panels to explore new plans, the federal government has created a high level position to coordinate with recreational fishermen, and new fishery plans are moving through the regulatory process.  We urge CCA and other recreational fishermen to contribute constructive action now.