For several months, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council has discussed the possibility of convening a Private Recreational Advisory Panel composed of private recreational anglers like us to find solutions to manage our fishing sector and protect one of the Gulf’s most precious and iconic fish species.

The reason for their conversation, the Council has not taken a hard look to find long-lasting management solutions that address the Gulf’s ever-shortening recreational seasons. The Council is hamstrung by the Gulf states' continuously increasing state-water season lengths, which requires the extra state-water pressures to be accounted for by the National Marine Fishery Service when setting federal-water seasons. These two conditions promise to make short recreational red snapper seasons the norm and not the exception.  

Convening a recreational advisory panel is the quickest and smartest way to find solutions to the Gulf’s short red snapper seasons, while ensuring the fishery is managed sustainably. Sadly, there are members of the Gulf Council---some that even claim they represent all recreational anglers’ voices---that would rather take care of the issue for you rather than hearing from you and block your voices from being heard. This is unacceptable.

DEMAND THE GULF OF MEXICO FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL TO CONVENE A RECREATIONAL ADIVISORY PANEL. WE DESERVE BETTER.

If you are tired of shortening Gulf of Mexico red snapper seasons and want to have a serious conversation that could create better fishing opportunities: Please sign the petition.

If you want the Council to listen to recreational anglers: Please sign the petition.

If you want to protect the nation’s marine resources: Please sign the petition.

If you think the Council should hear a broader range of recreational voices: SIGN THE PETITION.

AND

Contact the following Council members and demand of them: CONVENE THE PRIVATE RECREATIONAL ADVISORY PANEL NOW.

All Council Members: Gulfcouncil@gulfcouncil.org

Recreational Interests Council Members:

• Douglass Boyd: douglassboyd@yahoo.com
• Campo Matens: cematens@yahoo.com
• Greg Stunz: greg.stunz@tamucc.edu

State Directors:

• Martha Bademan, Florida: Martha.bademan@myfwc.com
• Robin Riechers, Texas: robin.riechers@tpwd.state.tx.gov
• Kevin Anson, Alabama: kevin.anson@dcnr.alabama.gov
• Kelly Lucas, Mississippi: Kelly.lucas@dmr.ms.gov
• Myron Fischer, Louisiana: mfischer@wlf.la.gov