Gulf Shores' and Orange Beach's fishing charter industry are concerned the new proposed limits on the Red Snapper harvest will not only damage their business, but also be a drag on Gulf Coast tourism.
The Red Snapper is a favorite catch among sport fishermen. Many travel hundreds of miles on multiple occasions every year to go in search of Red Snapper. They're large. They're relatively easy to hook and give an exciting but not overly taxing fight. And they make a delicious meal.
It's these characteristics that have made events like the Orange Beach Red Snapper World Championship such a huge success.
The local charter industry claims their business, which amounts to approximately $380 million per year, will be only the tip of the iceberg if the new federal regulations go into effect. They argue the loss of tourism revenue will be far in excess of their own loss of business. Aside from the impact on boat owners and crews, they argue the entire local economy will suffer as the impact of the regulations trickle down to the industries and their employees who support the charter operations.
The National Marine Fisheries Service's proposed new regulations are in response to a legal requirement to rebuild the Gulf of Mexico's red snapper population. The newly proposed regulations call for cutting the annual harvest by a third and the recreational limit in half, from four fish per day to two, or shortening the Red Snapper season to 61 days. Currently both of these options are under review by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.
To date no final decisions have been made. In the next few weeks the proposals will get a public airing and debate in a series of public hearings.