Federal Government Confirms Red Drum and Striped Bass Gamefish Status
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service (NFMS) announced in the October 17, 2008, Federal Register that the requirements set by Executive Order 13449 which established striped bass and red drum as gamefish have been fulfilled. NMFS determined that the current rules banning the sale of striped bass and red drum caught in federal waters in the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico achieve the intent of Executive Order 13449, signed by President George W. Bush on October 20, 2007.
“This ruling ensures that striped bass and red drum will survive and grow for generations of anglers to enjoy,” ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman said. “We are very pleased that NMFS has completed this ruling ensuring that federal waters will be closed to commercial fishing for these important gamefish.”
At the time that President Bush signed that Executive Order, a federal commercial fishing ban for these two species had already been established. All this announcement does is confirm that the existing ban in federal waters meets the Executive Order requirements.
Comments
Could this mean that the recreational limits on reds, and stripers, may be raised a couple extra fish in florida, and the east coast, and Texas? since recreational limits don’t come anywhere near the commercial limits being harvested. For us fish-eaters…
I doubt it. My conversations with the FL FWC biologists just last week indicate more restrictions on reds. The fish population has increased and is doing well. Problem is the number of anglers is growing too fast - lots of out of state licenses issued.