WASHINGTON
– For the first time in a decade, Federal authorities and the five Gulf States
have agreed to align Federal and State private angler red snapper fishing
seasons for the remainder of the summer, and the Department of Commerce has
re-opened the 2017 private angler recreational season for 39 weekend days and
holidays. Majority Whip Scalise and
other Members of Congress were instrumental in reaching this agreement.
“I’d
like to offer my thoughts and prayers to Whip Scalise, his staff, the Capitol
Police, and their families,” said Secretary Ross. “Majority Whip Scalise and his staff have
been incredibly helpful on this and a host of other issues, and I wish them and
the other victims a speedy recovery.
Such a despicable act of violence has no place in our political
discourse, and the Administration and Congress will continue to work together
in service to the American people.”
The
agreement reached between the Secretary of Commerce and the five Gulf States is
a significant step forward in building a new Federal-State partnership in
managing the Gulf of Mexico red snapper stock. This represents a commitment
from the states to restore a shared vision of uniform management that will
benefit the long term recovery of the red snapper stock while maximizing the
economic benefits from recreational fishing in the Gulf region.
The
new rule announced today will re-open the 2017 Federal recreational season for
red snapper by the private angling component on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays
from June 16, 2017, through Labor Day, September 4, 2017. During this time, the
season will be closed Monday through Thursday with the exception of July 3,
July 4, and September 4. Correspondingly, the five Gulf States will bring their
state red snapper water seasons into alignment with the Federal water season
for the rest of the summer.
The
Departments rule does not change the quota or season length for the federally
permitted for-hire component of the recreational fishery or the commercial
individual fishing quota program and the 2017 commercial quota.
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