U.S. Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter, R-Georgia, penned a letter to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick voicing concern that a Biden-era proposed rule from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration limiting recreational fishing for several species, including red snapper, will have devastating effects on coastal Georgia’s economy.
Amendment 59 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic would restrict recreational bottom fishing for 55 species from December through February.
“This ill-conceived proposed rule from NOAA, put forth in the final days of the prior administration, is inconsistent with the decisions of the experts at the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council and will have devastating effects on [the First] Congressional district’s citizenry and economy,” Carter wrote in the letter.
“Recreational fishing is big business in Coastal Georgia,” Carter added. “The problematic trend of ever shorter fishing seasons for red snapper is hurting fishing tourism during a time when red snapper have never been more abundant. The disconnect between what anglers on the water can see with their own eyes and federal management of the red snapper fishery has persisted for too long.”
By NOAA’s estimates, the agency’s current data is off by between 30-40% and is unsuitable for management use.
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