As previously posted here, the most recent stock assessment of red drum by the Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries revealed that the species is being overfished in the Bayou State. And that unless management changes are initiated soon to reduce harvest, we could see redfish recruitment fall below the conservation standard for three decades or more.
Marine biologists with LDWF submitted a chart of different scenarios that would reduce harvest 35% or more. That 35 percent marks the very minimum for which the Spawning Potential Ratio (SPR) can return to the Conservation Standard. Obviously, the higher the reduction, the faster the recovery, and the long term viability will be stronger.
The FFI Gulf Coast Council is reviewing these scenarios for a recommendation to the Commission. One immediate action that the GCC, CCA Louisiana, and other groups have offered is elimination of the oversize slot allowance. Currently 1 red over 27 inches is allowed per day.
Recently, State Senator Bret Allain of New Iberia and 19 co-authors offered a resolution (SCR 46) requesting the Commission to ban the harvest of bull reds (over 27″). Last week, SCR 46 passed the full Senate by a rare unanimous vote. Although a legislative resolution does not carry the obligation of a legislative bill, this vote is a clear signal to the Commission that this action should be taken asap.
Meanwhile, one group of charter captains is also supporting a reduced slot size with a four (4) fish daily limit. The exact slot size was not mentioned, but we’re told it met the minimum 35 percent reduction.
The Gulf Coast Council is standing by it’s original stance in that the reduction must be at least 40 percent. By decreasing the harvest from 35 to 40 percent, the number of years it will take to get the SPR at or above the Conservation Standard is cut in half! All of the scenarios we are reviewing are based on the condition that over-the-slot harvest is eliminated. That condition seems to be very favorable at this point.
One question that some have asked, “How does Louisiana’s creel and size limits compare to other states?”. Below is a snapshot from a recent presentation. There are 11 states that manage for red drum, the chart below shows the current regulations for the 7 states with a significant redfish population. It should be pointed out that a couple of these states are reporting overfishing as well, and their limits could be restricted further over the near future. TO VIEW IMAGE IN FULL SIZE, RIGHT CLICK ON “OPEN IMAGE IN NEW TAB”.
