Press Releases
Carter joins letter to NOAA urging reconsideration of restrictive recreational fishing regulations
Washington,
July 11, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today joined Rep. Russell Fry (R-SC) and 17 House Republican colleagues in a letter to the National Oceanic Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) urging it to reconsider its proposal reducing the recreational fishing season for red snapper along the South Atlantic coastline to a single day on July 12, 2024. The letter comes as recreational fishermen, local businesses, and the broader tourism industry warn the overly restrictive regulatory intervention threatens their industries’ livelihoods. In the letter, the members write: “NOAA’s continued failure to provide reasonable access to the highly abundant red snapper fishery is undermining the interests and economic well-being of our coastal and fishing communities. Each of our congressional districts boast vibrant recreational fishing industries that are integral to our local economies.” Despite NOAA citing overfishing as the reason for its new regulation, available data shows an abundance of red snapper, high recruitment levels of young fish into the population, and improved age structure of the South Atlantic stock. Read the full letter to NOAA here. |