PANAMA CITY BEACH — Decisions this week by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council could bring better science to the Gulf and give a bounce to the area red snapper economy, local experts said Friday.
Meeting in Austin, Texas, this week the council agreed to increase the daily bag limit on red snapper from two to four.
The council also agreed to conduct stock assessments in 2012 and 2013 that will give a better understanding of how many red snapper are actually in the Gulf.
A “standard” assessment early next year could help maintain or increase the 48-day season that occurred June 1 to July 18 this year, said Pam Anderson of Capt. Anderson’s Marina.
But more importantly, a more in-depth “benchmark” assessment in 2013 could help scientists understand something that boat captains already are experiencing: There are more fish out there than some believe, said Bob Zales II, president of the Panama City Boatman’s Association and a charter fishing captain.
“It’s critical,” Zales said.
Concerning gag grouper, the council increased commercial quotas by 567,000 pounds for 2012, but shortened the 2011 season for recreational gag grouper from Sept. 16 to Nov. 15, or 61 days, said Steven Atran, a fisheries biologist for the council.
Anderson said gag grouper is not as important along the northern Gulf as red snapper, however.
Anderson said scientists determined from a standard stock assessment in 2009 that fishing stock had fallen dramatically, probably from a massive red tide along Florida coastal regions in 2005. Zales thinks the data was flawed.
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