Duval Times

U.S. Congressmen John H. Rutherford and Darren Soto, alongside Senator Rick Scott, have introduced the bipartisan Red Snapper Act in Washington, D.C. The proposed legislation aims to prevent the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from closing the red snapper fishery in the South Atlantic until an independent study, known as the South Atlantic Great Red Snapper Count, is completed and its data is incorporated into stock assessments.

The act has garnered support from 16 additional cosponsors in the House of Representatives. These include Representatives Aaron Bean, Gus Bilirakis, Buddy Carter, Byron Donalds, Neal Dunn, Mike Ezell, Russell Fry, Scott Franklin, Carlos Gimenez, Laurel Lee, Anna Paulina Luna, Nancy Mace, Brian Mast, Maria Salazar, Austin Scott, and Daniel Webster.

Rutherford stated that "for over a decade," efforts have been made to rebuild the red snapper stock in Northeast Florida. He emphasized that accurate data should guide policy decisions rather than NOAA's "draconian closures."

Soto expressed his pride in co-leading the bill with Rutherford and Scott. He highlighted the importance of reviewing results from ongoing studies to protect coastal economies.

Senator Rick Scott remarked on Florida's fishing industry's significant economic contribution. He voiced his support for working with Rutherford on ensuring that outdated federal regulations do not hinder success.

Recently proposed changes by NOAA would limit recreational bottom fishing off Florida’s Atlantic coast during winter months. This decision stems from data suggesting inaccuracies in current stock assessments.

The Red Snapper Act seeks to halt such management actions until new findings from the Great Red Snapper Count are integrated. This study has been funded by Congress for five years to provide comprehensive insights into red snapper abundance and mortality rates.

The economic impact of short red snapper seasons has been noted as substantial. For instance, a six-day season in 2018 contributed $13 million to the GDP of the South Atlantic region.

Rutherford emphasized that “Florida’s anglers deserve dependable access” to fishing opportunities.

The act has received endorsements from several organizations including the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF), Center for Sportfishing Policy (CSP), and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).