Calling CptBengal: Snapper Season

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I wanted to get your educated opinion on the new 11 day season as set by the Feds in view of the recent court opinion.

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it's a joke. This is the special interest of commercial fisherman controlling the process of setting limits.

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I also wanted to get your opinion about the true state of existence of the red snapper relative to the restrictions currently in place and what the future may hold as well.

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The stock is rebounding, but long lived species like red snapper need a large contingent of large older females to remain healthy stock. This takes time, and the fishery was heavily overfished before, due most notably to those very same commercial groups.

The problem is that stock assessment, especially for long-lived species, is half art/half science. You never really know where you are on the curve, so it becomes a bit of guesswork. Add in the ability of corruption in our government and you have the comedy of the Red Snapper fishing industry regulation over the last 30 years.

The problem isnt single stock management, but rather ecosystem based approach to management that they are attempting to phase in...it's a better methodology, but way more complex and will take some time to level out and become more stable.

The fact tht judges are "ruling" is absurd....but then again, you likely dont want the scientists making the call either, for example, most of us would ban shrimping if we had the chance.

I appreciate it, Cpt...thanks!

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mariculture operations

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is that like fence raised shrimp?