Two years ago we asked you to trust us.
And you did.
So as part of our way of thanking you, we’re proud to announce the Louisiana recreational red snapper season is open and will remain open in state waters seven days a week until further notice.
About a year ago, despite much outspoken opposition, we asked you, the recreational angler, to stand by us while we increased our saltwater fishing license by $7.50.
That money went directly to our LA Creel survey efforts, providing LDWF with the data and resources to show that a state supplemental season is appropriate and sustainable for the fishery.
“Thanks to our anglers participating in our recreational creel survey, LA Creel, and supporting a saltwater license fee increase, we are able to provide our anglers with additional snapper fishing opportunities that NOAA has denied them in years past,” said LDWF Secretary Robert Barham.
With a limit of two fish per person at a 16-inch minimum total length in state waters, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has done its part to allow for the harvest of red snapper. Now it’s up to you, the recreational fishermen, to do your part to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.
Last year, knowing the season would result in far fewer landings than NOAA projected in Louisiana due to the data collected through our Red Snapper Quota Monitoring Plan (the precursor to LA Creel), Barham opened state waters to red snapper. The opening resulted in 621,000 pounds of red snapper caught in state waters and helped Louisiana anglers reach its state yearly average of 754,000 pounds of red snapper caught. Last year’s shortest federal season ever – nine days, to be exact – would have resulted in Pelican State fishermen harvesting only 164,500 pounds of red snapper in federal waters.
“We’ve gotten so much support from the marinas because there’s a state season,” said LDWF Assistant Secretary Randy Pausina. “Even though people are not necessarily catching a lot of red snapper, there’s the opportunity to go fishing, so they’re going. A lot of the marinas are telling us, ‘Y’all are doing a great job because people are going out fishing that wouldn’t have come,’ so we’re helping the local communities and the anglers.”
Officials hope the state-supplemented opening of state waters will be as successful in 2015 as 2014.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has had authority to modify recreational red snapper seasons and daily harvest limits since 2013.
This authority, however, can only take effect in state waters. According to experts, there are a lot of snapper to be had further out in federal waters than in state waters.
But thanks to anglers who participate in our LA Creel survey, efforts like common sense regional fisheries management are hopefully a thing of the near future.
