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For Immediate Release: March 13, 2007
Court Rules to End the Era of Snapper Mismanagement
Federal Court Strikes Down the “Do Nothing” Red Snapper Plan
In
a major ruling issued last night, a federal court struck down the
faulty red snapper rebuilding plan approved by the National Marine
Fisheries Service in 2005. The agency had a legal mandate to end
overfishing, quickly rebuild red snapper populations, and minimize
bycatch, the wasteful catching and killing of undersized red snapper in
the targeted red snapper fishery and all snapper caught in the shrimp
fishery. Yet, the plan endorsed the “status quo” and accomplished none
of these goals. The court ruled in favor of The Ocean Conservancy and
Gulf Restoration Network, finding that the rebuilding plan for red
snapper “is inconsistent with the scientific data” and has less than a
50% chance of successfully rebuilding red snapper within the legally
allowable limit. The court ordered the agency to implement a new,
legally sufficient rebuilding plan within nine months.
“We
applaud the court’s ruling in this case and expect that it will usher
in a new era in responsible fisheries management in the Gulf of Mexico.
The ruling struck down over twenty years of failure that needlessly
harmed fish and fishermen,” said Chris Dorsett, Gulf of Mexico Fish Conservation Director with The Ocean Conservancy.
“Science based management is the hallmark of successful fisheries
management. Those regions across the nation that have embraced this
philosophy enjoy healthy fish populations and fishing communities. The
court’s ruling puts one of the Gulf’s signature fish on a true road to
recovery.”
Red snapper has been managed by state and
federal regulators in the Gulf of Mexico since the 1980s. Red snapper
was first identified by scientists as severely overfished in 1989. Yet
for almost two decades, federal managers failed to set catch levels
based on the advice of its scientists and consistently allowed too many
fish to be caught and killed as bycatch. As a result, the red snapper
spawning population is now under three percent of its historic
abundance.
Red snapper have suffered for almost two
decades in the Gulf of Mexico from inadequate management and government
foot dragging. “For too long federal managers have ignored legal
mandates requiring them to end overfishing and rebuild red snapper
populations,” said Earthjustice attorney Steve Roady,
who is representing Gulf Restoration Network along with Biloxi attorney
Robert Wiygul. “Red snapper was first identified as depleted back in
1989. The law required the government to end overfishing and start
rebuilding red snapper many years ago; the court has now ordered them
to do so.”
“It’s time we bring back red snapper and restore the former glory of the Gulf of Mexico,” said Aaron Viles, Campaign Director for the Gulf Restoration Network.
“A healthy red snapper population can support three times as much
fishing as today’s levels - a win-win for our environment and
economy.”
The court also ruled that the management
plan failed to address bycatch- the incidental capture and killing of
red snapper. “Bycatch of red snapper has been a well known, serious
problem,” said Marianne Cufone of the Gulf Restoration Network.
“The court recognized that every fish counts, and now the government
will need to reduce red snapper bycatch through the new plan.”
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The Gulf Restoration Network
is a diverse network of individuals and local, regional, and national
groups committed to uniting and empowering people to protect and
restore the resources of the Gulf region for future generations.
Founded in 1994, the GRN has members in each of the five Gulf states.
On the web at www.healthygulf.org.
The Ocean Conservancy
strives to be the world’s foremost advocate for the oceans. Through
science-based advocacy, research, and public education, we inform,
inspire and empower people to speak and act for the oceans. The
Conservancy is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has offices in New
England, Florida, the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, and California
with support from more than half a million members and volunteers. On
the web at: www.oceanconservancy.org.
Earthjustice
is a nonprofit public interest law firm dedicated to protecting the
magnificent places, natural resources, and wildlife of this earth and
to defending the right of all people to a healthy environment. It
brings about far-reaching change by enforcing and strengthening
environmental laws on behalf of hundreds of organizations and
communities. On the web at: www.earthjustice.org.
Media Contacts:
Aaron Viles, Gulf Restoration Network, (504) 525-1528
Steve Roady, Earthjustice,
(202) 667-4500
Chris Dorsett, The Ocean Conservancy, (512) 542-3331
Marianne Cufone, Gulf Restoration Network, (813) 881-0150
Read the Ruling (pdf) here.
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