Federal Snapper Fishing Ban Up For a Vote Today
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
By: Tom Parkinson

June 9, 2010 -- Federal marine regulators are meeting in Orlando today to decide whether to extend a ban on fishing for red snapper and grouper along Florida's north and central Atlantic coasts. Officials say the ban is needed to end over-fishing for red snapper, but many fishermen say the move could destroy their businesses.

A temporary snapper fishing ban has been in effect since January.  The new rules would broaden the ban to include more species of fish and extend it until the snapper population recovers.

Government officials point to a 2008 study that they say shows the population of red snapper is down to just 3 percent of what it was sixty years ago.  The say that’s because of overfishing and that federal law requires them to take action.  But many fishermen believe the study was based on faulty science.

90.7’s Tom Parkinson spoke with Bob Jones, head of the Southeastern Fisheries Association, a fishing industry trade.  Tom asked him what the new ban could mean for Florida fishermen.

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