The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council has set a convoluted series of hearings along the Gulf Coast on issues important for recreational anglers: Amendment 39 – regional management of red snapper, and Amendments 41 and 42, which are designed to implement red snapper privatization programs for the charter/for-hire and headboat sector. Amendment 41 and 42 should both be rejected outright.

Whether by accident or design, the Gulf Council’s hearing materials and schedule are extremely confusing, yet these hearings are on issues that will profoundly impact the future of offshore recreational angling. The hearings begin Oct. 19 and run through Nov. 2. Public turnout at the hearings is critical to drown out those who would reduce your access, in order to be gifted their own personal windfall of red snapper.

The link below contains more information on these amendments and will show the full schedule of public hearings. You will also have the opportunity to send a message directly to your Congressmen and urge them to support Rep. Garrett Graves’ (R-La.) legislative efforts to shift management of red snapper entirely to the states (H.R. 3094). Removing this fishery from federal control is the only way to truly fix the red snapper management mess. Our elected officials must know that federal management of our marine resources is on the wrong track.

Click the link below to log in and send your message:
https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/LnAFy0yeZDihnsQoQBcMXg