Landrieu Provisions Protect LA Anglers from Federal Mismanagement of Red Snapper

Press Release

With the end of the 2014 federal red snapper season less than a week away, U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today secured funding and essential reforms to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that will prevent another needlessly short season based on faulty and inaccurate fish counts. The funding and reforms by Sen. Landrieu were included in the bill that funds the Departments of Commerce and Justice and the National Academies of Science for FY2015. After today's favorable voice vote by a subcommittee, the bill goes to the full Senate Appropriations Committee for its approval on Thursday.

Sen. Landrieu included language that requires the Government Accountability Office to investigate how NOAA collects and analyzes data on Gulf of Mexico recreational fisheries, like red snapper. NOAA has consistently failed to use the best scientific information available, which has led to arbitrarily short seasons and capricious management. Also included is a $2 million voluntary electronic logbook project that will give NOAA better data on for-hire recreational fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico.

"Congress keeps throwing more and more money at the problem, while the red snapper season keeps getting shorter and shorter. Charter operators, marinas and recreational anglers contribute $12 billion each year to the Gulf Coast economy, and they deserve regular, reliable seasons. These reforms will help us determine why NOAA's fisheries management data is consistently inaccurate and help us chart a path forward to protect and preserve these opportunities and the way of life that truly makes Louisiana a Sportsman's Paradise," Sen. Landrieu said.

Sen. Landrieu introduced bipartisan legislation that will transfer management authority of the Gulf of Mexico red snapper fisheries from the federal government to the Gulf Coast states.The Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper Conservation Act of 2013 (S.1161) addresses an erratic rule-making process that was rejected by a Federal court in Texas last year for impermissibly discriminating against citizens of different states. The bill is also consistent with the efforts of the Gulf Coast Governors to promote responsible regional management.

Last year, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued three separate red snapper seasons for Gulf Coast States, wreaking havoc on the recreational fishing industry that cost billions to the regional economy.

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