Nelson Acts on Fishing Regulations

U.S. Senator Bill Nelson, Florida (D) took several steps to help fishing communities in Florida that have been hurt by federal regulatory closures. He introduced two bills: one would end the current ban on red snapper fishing in the South Atlantic, and the other would prevent the federal government from shortening the red snapper fishing season in the Gulf of Mexico.

Additionally, Nelson requested that the Senate Commerce Committee examine the ban on red snapper fishing and fisheries closures in Florida to determine whether federal officials are using reliable data to support the tough fishing restrictions. “What’s troubling is too often these closures are based on limited data and sporadic stock assessments,” Nelson wrote to committee leadership. He also asked the panel to examine whether economic aid could be provided to communities hardest hit by the fishing bans.