Message From Coastal Conservation Association

At a time when there seem to be fewer and fewer opportunities for anglers to pursue fish offshore, a proposal known as Sector Separation threatens to make the situation even worse by making recreational anglers compete against each other.

Sector Separation is being promoted for federally managed fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico (for example, red snapper and grouper). It calls for the recreational sector poundage quota for a species to be split into two different categories: For Hire/Charter and Private Boat Recreational.

As it stands now, fisheries managers divide harvest quotas between commercial boats and recreational anglers. Under the Sector Separation model, managers would assign quotas to commercial boats, private boat anglers and charter/for-hire boats, leaving private recreational anglers with a greatly diminished piece of the quota.

Coastal Conservation Association believes there are fundamental management problems with Sector Separation as it pits one segment of recreational anglers against another.

CCA is opposed to Sector Separation because:

• Sector Separation will create imbalances in distribution of fish among anglers fishing from private boats and those fishing on charter vessels.

• Sector Separation will create deep political conflicts within states as decision-makers grapple with how to spread fishing opportunities between private and charter sectors.

• State fisheries directors will have to seriously consider how Sector Separation will influence the growth in licensed anglers and fishing opportunities in their states.

 

• Sector Separation will result in a shorter public season for most offshore fishing. Private boat anglers will often be unable to pursue many species unless they pay a charter/for-hire vessel.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is holding a workshop on Sector Separation in Tampa, Florida, November 8-10. Recreational anglers have the opportunity to voice opposition to pitting recreational anglers against each other. CCA is encouraging members to send comments in opposition to Sector Separation to the Gulf Council.


Gary  A Anderson..."The Mentoring Angler"