For those that did not get the email for the survey, this is what it reads...

1. CURRENT POLICY DESCRIPTION

Every year Gulf of Mexico fisheries managers examine estimates of the red snapper stock in the Gulf of Mexico and set a TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH (T.A.C.) FOR RED SNAPPER in the portions of the Gulf in Federal waters.

Once fisheries managers have set the total allowable catch for red snapper, they divvy it up between (a) the commercial fishing sector and (b) the recreational fishing sector using the following formula:

• Commercial Fishing Sector Quota = 51 % of T.A.C.

• Recreational Fishing Sector Quota = 49 % of T.A.C.

The recreational fishing sector consists of federally-permitted charter boats & head boats and private anglers & state charter boats. The combined catch of all of these is part of the percentage of total allowable catch allocated to the recreational fishing sector.

In 2012, Federally-permitted charter & head boats happened to catch about 36% of the recreational fishing quota and private anglers & state charter boats happened to catch about 64% of the recreational fishing quota.

PROPOSED POLICY CHANGE ONE

The Gulf Council and NMFS are considering an alternative policy: dividing the recreational sector into two parts or subsectors:

* One subsector for federally-permitted charter & head boats

* One subsector for private anglers and state charter & head boats.

Under this proposed policy, each subsector would be given a specific share of the percentage of total allowable catch for red snapper allocated to the recreational fishering sector. Private anglers and state charter boats could fish for red snapper in Federal waters only during a designated recreational fishing season. Federally-permitted charter boats could fish for red snapper at any time during the year until they have used up their portion of total allowable catch.

Poll Question:
Please consider the current policy and the proposed alternative policy. Tell us to what degree you support or oppose the proposed change to divide the recreational fishing sector as described above:
(Please check only one)

CURRENT POLICY DESCRIPTION Every year Gulf of Mexico fisheries managers examine estimates of the red snapper stock in the Gulf of Mexico and set a TOTAL ALLOWABLE CATCH (T.A.C.) FOR RED SNAPPER in the portions of the Gulf in Federal waters. Once fisheries managers have set the total allowable catch for red snapper, they divvy it up between (a) the commercial fishing sector and (b) the recreational fishing sector using the following formula: • Commercial Fishing Sector Quota = 51 % of T.A.C. • Recreational Fishing Sector Quota = 49 % of T.A.C. The recreational fishing sector consists of federally-permitted charter boats & head boats and private anglers & state charter boats. The combined catch of all of these is part of the percentage of total allowable catch allocated to the recreational fishing sector. In 2012, Federally-permitted charter & head boats happened to catch about 36% of the recreational fishing quota and private anglers & state charter boats happened to catch about 64% of the recreational fishing quota. PROPOSED POLICY CHANGE ONE The Gulf Council and NMFS are considering an alternative policy: dividing the recreational sector into two parts or subsectors: * One subsector for federally-permitted charter & head boats * One subsector for private anglers and state charter & head boats. Under this proposed policy, each subsector would be given a specific share of the percentage of total allowable catch for red snapper allocated to the recreational fishering sector. Private anglers and state charter boats could fish for red snapper in Federal waters only during a designated recreational fishing season. Federally-permitted charter boats could fish for red snapper at any time during the year until they have used up their portion of total allowable catch. Poll Question: Please consider the current policy and the proposed alternative policy. Tell us to what degree you support or oppose the proposed change to divide the recreational fishing sector as described above: (Please check only one) Strongly Oppose

Moderately Oppose

Neither Oppose nor Support

Moderately Support

Strongly Support

I am not sure I understand the issue

2. PROPOSED POLICY CHANGE TWO
Suppose the plan to divide the recreational fishing sector into two subsectors was put in place.

Below are three hypothetical alternatives for dividing the recreational fishing sector’s share of total allowable catch for red snapper between federally-permitted charter and head boats and private anglers & state charter boats.

Regardless of whether you support or oppose splitting the recreational fishing sector, which of the three ways of splitting the total allowable catch for red snapper in Federal waters would you prefer?
(Choose only one.)

PROPOSED POLICY CHANGE TWO Suppose the plan to divide the recreational fishing sector into two subsectors was put in place. Below are three hypothetical alternatives for dividing the recreational fishing sector’s share of total allowable catch for red snapper between federally-permitted charter and head boats and private anglers & state charter boats. Regardless of whether you support or oppose splitting the recreational fishing sector, which of the three ways of splitting the total allowable catch for red snapper in Federal waters would you prefer? (Choose only one.)

22% federally permitted charter boats - 27% private anglers & state charters - 51% commercial

24.5% federally permitted charter boats - 24.5% private anglers & state charters - 51% commercial

18% federally permitted charter boats - 31% private anglers & state charters - 51% commercial