Comments on proposed red snapper rules are due Friday

If you plan to comment on a proposed rule for Gulf of Mexico Red Snapper that would increase the 2012 and 2013 commercial and recreational quotas for the species – you’re comments are due today.

NOAA fisheries service says it can safely increase fishing for red snapper because recent population assessments show that overfishing has ended. 

If the rule is approved, the overall quota would increase from about 7.2 million pounds this year to 8 million pounds next year and nearly 8.7 million pounds in 2013.

51 percent of the annual quota would be for commercial fishermen, 49 percent for recreational anglers.

The rule would also eliminate the fixed recreational red snapper closed season of October  1 through December 31^st which would allow for continued recreational fishing for red snapper if any remaining quota is available.

If you would like to comment on the proposal, you have until the end of the day to get any written comments to NOAA Fisheries Service.

You can file your comments on-line at www.regulations.gov. 

http://www.oysterradio.com e-mail manager@oysterradio.com with comments