Ban Could Stop Red Snapper Fishing off Southeastern Coast ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council regulates fishing off the coasts of North and South Carolina, Georgia and East Florida.

It's considering a six-month ban on Red Snapper fishing, renewable for another six months.

That's important to Georgia because Red Snapper fishing is popular here with both commercial and recreational fisherman.

Holly Binns is with the Pew Environment Group, which supports the moratorium.

"What it will do is stop the clock, and give the red snapper population a needed break and give fishery managers the time they need to develop long-term, science-based measures that will help rebuild the population as quickly as possible."

If enacted, the ban would be in place by late summer. That's peak spawning season for the Red Snapper.

The council will hear public comments at its quarterly meeting this Thursday on Jekyll Island before making a decision.

Jim Burress, WABE News.
© Copyright 2012, WABE