Stock assessments conducted by the National Marine Fisheries Service are critical in maintaining the vitality of the fisheries, the fishing communities, and related industries in the Gulf of Mexico. Photo: Trudy Pellegrin Luke/Luke Seafood
Special to Louisiana Seafood News
“Both our commercial and recreational fisheries have a significant impact on the economy of the Gulf Coast” said Louisiana Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu. Photo: Ed Lallo/Louisiana Seafood News
Senators from Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and North Carolina have sent a letter to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting a review of how the Department of Commerce conducts stock assessments in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic. The stock assessments conducted by the National Marine Fisheries Service are critical in maintaining the vitality of the fisheries, the fishing communities, and related industries in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Ocean.
“Both our commercial and recreational fisheries have a significant impact on the economy of the Gulf Coast” said Louisiana Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu. “It is vitally important to ensure that catch allowances are maximized based upon complete assessments. I look forward to working with the Government Accountability Office, the National Marine Fisheries Service(NMFS), and my colleagues in Congress to improve NMFS assessment processes and funding mechanisms.”
“Stock assessments are the foundation of sound fishery management,” said Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio. Photo: U.S. Senate Official Portrait
“Stock assessments are the foundation of sound fishery management,” said Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio. “It is vital that, as we work to preserve the waters and resources surrounding Florida and other states, we base our management decisions on sound science. The report we’ve requested today will shed light on the decision-making process within the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration and will help us to determine the best path forward so that we can ensure the economic livelihood of the fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic and the industries that depend on them.”
Landrieu and Rubio, the ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard, were joined by Senators Kay Hagan (D-NC), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Richard Shelby (R-AL), Jeff Sessions (R-AL) and David Vitter (R-LA) in signing the letter.
The significance of the bipartisan letter requesting the GAO to review NOAA’s stock assessment program is it questions the lack of empirical data mandatory to accurately calculate abundance of the fish stocks in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Ocean.
WHAT INDUSTRY EXPERTS ARE SAYING
“The significance of the bipartisan letter signed by eight influential United States Senators requesting GAO to review NOAA’s stock assessment program cannot be over-estimated,” said Bob Jones, Executive Director of Southeastern Fisheries Association. “The Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Ocean has been poorly managed for years due to the lack of empirical data mandatory to accurately calculate abundance of the fish stocks. We sincerely hope NOAA indicates to the GAO, as well as Congress, how they have managed the fisheries in our region with poor data. The seafood community hopes NOAA will implement transparent management protocols all stakeholders can understand and support.”
“As Chairman of the Data Collection Committee at the Gulf Council, I see first-hand how our lack of updated fisheries data strikes at the heart of our ability to make sound management decisions that protect both our natural resources AND our fishermen,” said Harlon Pearce, member of the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council. Photo: Louisiana Seafood News
“As Chairman of the Data Collection Committee at the Gulf Council, I see first-hand how our lack of updated fisheries data strikes at the heart of our ability to make sound management decisions that protect both our natural resources and our fishermen,” said Harlon Pearce, member of the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council. “We need to get to the bottom of where our data collection resources are being spent and this full GAO investigatios a great step in the right direction.”
“Robust biological and socioeconomic data are critical to the management of our nation’s fisheries,” said Gordon Robertson, vice president of the American Sportfishing Association. “Unfortunately this information has been lacking for many important fisheries, particularly those in the southeast.”
GULF FISHING INDUSTRY FACTS
- According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, nearly 40 million licensed anglers generate over $46 billion in retail sales with a $115 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for more than 828,000 people. (U.S. Census Bureau)
- In 2009, the South Atlantic Region’s seafood industry generated $13 billion in sales impacts and 65,000 jobs in Florida, according to NOAA’s Fisheries 2009 Fisheries Economics Report. (NOAA)
- In the Gulf of Mexico region, an average of 23 million fishing trips were taken annually from 2000 to 2009. (NOAA)
- Over 42,000 full- and part-time jobs were generated by recreational fishing activities in Florida in 2009. (NOAA)
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