Changes in Shrimping Effort in the Gulf of Mexico and the Impacts to Red Snapper

Despite a complex management landscape and decades of overfishing, Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) stocks have grown substantially in the Gulf of Mexico and restrictions on the fisheries that catch them are being loosened. This year, annual shrimping effort was allowed to increase by 21% after Na...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:iScience 2020-05, Vol.23 (5), p.101111-101111, Article 101111
Main Authors: Gallaway, Benny J., Raborn, Scott W., Picariello, Laura, Putman, Nathan F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological Sciences
Ecology
Environmental Science
Review
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Summary:Despite a complex management landscape and decades of overfishing, Red Snapper (Lutjanus campechanus) stocks have grown substantially in the Gulf of Mexico and restrictions on the fisheries that catch them are being loosened. This year, annual shrimping effort was allowed to increase by 21% after National Marine Fisheries Service scientists concluded that the resulting bycatch of Red Snapper would only reduce the annual allowable catch in other fisheries by ∼1% and have no impact on population growth. Nonetheless, the recreational fishing sector intensely campaigned against this rule, fueled by wild mischaracterization of shrimp trawl bycatch in media outlets targeting anglers. Here, we aim to elevate the debates surrounding Red Snapper management by presenting scientific and historical context for the potential impacts from shrimping. We discuss our views of the current problems facing Red Snapper and key ecological questions to address for more effective management of this resource. [Display omitted] Environmental Science; Ecology; Biological Sciences
ISSN:2589-0042
2589-0042
DOI:10.1016/j.isci.2020.101111