NOAA extends Gulf of Mexico red snapper catch limit

Despite 'uncertainty' in latest Gulf of Mexico red snapper count, NOAA has increased total annual catch limit by 300,000 pounds to 15.4 million pounds for 2023 and overfishing limit from 15.5 million pounds to 25.6 million pounds. Of the annual catch limit, the share destined for commercial fishermen will increase from 7.7 million pounds to 7.854 million pounds, which is 51 percent of the catch limit, and the recreational share will increase from 7.399 million pounds to 7.546 million pounds. Under the new restrictions, Alabama will be allowed to fish 558,200 pounds, Florida 2.069 million pounds, Louisiana 882,000 pounds, Mississippi 59,000 pounds, and Texas 270,000 pounds of full weight equivalent. NOAA said two interim analyzes conducted in 2021 indicated that catch levels for the fishery could be increased, including the so-called "red snapper big count", which estimated that the red snapper stock in the Gulf of Mexico had about three times the previous biomass. assessment. The ...