Gulf of Mexico

Fishing Issues

There are four stocks subject to overfishing in the Gulf of Mexico,¹ including:

• Red Snapper
• Greater Amberjack
• Gag Grouper
• Gray Triggerfish

These stocks are required by law to have annual catch limits and accountability measures included in their fishery management plans by 2010. All other stocks in the region will need these by 2011. This new rule provides the framework that regional fishery managers will need to meet those deadlines.

In 2006, commercial fishing generated more than $2 billion in sales and over 40,000 jobs in Louisiana, Texas and Florida.² Florida alone generated over $5 billion in commercial sales and over 100,000 jobs.³ In the same year, 6.2 million recreational anglers spent over $2 billion on trips in the Gulf of Mexico region.⁴

Ending overfishing and rebuilding depleted stocks will positively contribute to these values, adding jobs, while creating sustainable fishing for long-term economic health.

The framework and measures required by the final rule would benefit such species as the red snapper. Red snapper are one of our most important fish in the Gulf of Mexico where fishermen have caught them for more than 125 years. Overfishing and mismanagement have driven down the spawning population of red snapper to a small percentage of historic levels.⁵ Successful implementation of annual catch limits could bring millions of dollars and many new jobs to the Gulf region’s economy.

King Makerel: A success story

The mighty king mackerel is a prized catch for many fishermen. But in the early 1980s, scientists knew the species was in deep trouble. Based on scientific research, federal fishery managers made some highly controversial decisions. In 1985, they slashed the allowable catch from 14.4 million to 5.2 million pounds. The next year, managers imposed recreational size and bag limits.

After two decades, king mackerel has increased from a low of about 4 million fish in 1984 to 17.2 million fish in 2006. Today, the king mackerel is a shining example of how an overfished species can recover and support a healthy fishing industry if managers implement science-based fish rebuilding plans.

¹ NMFS, “2008 Status of U.S. Fisheries,” 3rd Quarter Update.
² NMFS, Fisheries Economics of the U.S. 2006: Gulf of Mexico Region Summary and Tables, 2009.
³ Ibid.
⁴ Ibid.
⁵ NMFS FishWatch Website, “Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus)."