WABE: Congress Hears Arguments to Stop Moratorium on Red Snapper Fishing off Southeast Coast (2009-07-27)

Science

Congress Hears Arguments to Stop Moratorium on Red Snapper Fishing off Southeast Coast

Jim Burress (2009-07-27)

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ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - In March, federal fisheries managers approved a six-month moratorium on red snapper fishing from coastal North Carolina down to Florida. A final decision is pending from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA.

But U-S Representative John Mica of Florida has put before Congress a moratorium on the moratorium. He says the issue needs more study:

"If it isn't necessary, then we don't enforce the ban. If it is necessary, go forward with the ban. It's that simple."

Debbie Salamone of the Pew Trust says the fish doesn't have more time:

"This species could be facing commercial extinction, which means it's not worth fishing for any longer."

Some fisherman call environmentalists' reports flawed and outdated. However, NOAA's regional administrator has said size and bag limits are not keeping the Red Snapper at federally-mandated levels.

Jim Burress, WABE News.
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