South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has joined counterparts from Florida and Georgia in sending a strong letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce, urging a transition of South Atlantic red snapper and other reef fisheries management from federal to state control.
The attorneys general argue that the current federal system, overseen by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, is hampered by flawed data and restrictive bureaucratic processes. They contend that state agencies are better equipped to ensure both sustainable conservation and responsible access for local fishermen.
Call for State Control and Better Science
The letter, addressed to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, is rooted in the principles of federalism, maintaining that states are the best stewards of their own natural resources.
The collective action specifically requests three changes:
- Adopt New Science: Federal regulators must immediately incorporate findings from the Great Red Snapper Count (GRSC) into management decisions. The attorneys general assert this count provides a more accurate picture of the thriving red snapper population than current federal estimates.
- Delegate Data Gathering: Data collection responsibilities should be formally delegated to the states, which are already conducting much of the necessary work and can respond more quickly to evolving local conditions.
- Transfer Authority: The Department of Commerce should execute a phased transfer of overall management authority to the coastal states, utilizing existing tools like Experimental Fishing Permits (EFPs) and emergency regulations to maintain stability during the transition.
State leaders believe moving control closer to the coast will allow for customized conservation strategies and more responsive regulatory action.
Sign up for our Sunday Spectator. Delivered to your inbox every Sunday, with all the news from the week.
