According to President Capt. Bob Zales, II, on Thursday, August 23, 2012, the Gulf Council, by a vote of 11-5, tabled Amendment 28, which included sector separation and allocations of species between sectors until the pending recreational red snapper benchmark stock assessment is presented to the Council in 2013.
The recreational red snapper benchmark stock assessment began on August 20, 2012 and is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2013. This means that the issues of sector separation and allocations will not be discussed until after the red snapper stock assessment is presented to the Council for consideration. At that time the Council would have to vote to remove the issue from the table to discuss it.
“This action by the Council is welcome news as the vast majority of stakeholders oppose sector separation”, said President Zales. He further stated; “There were over 3500 email comments sent to the Council regarding sector separation and over 90% were in total opposition of sector separation. The tabling of Amendment 28 was a great signal that stakeholders were heard.”
NACO is glad to have been at the forefront of this successful effort working with many other National, State, and Local Associations along with a multitude of charter boat owners, operators, anglers, business owners, community leaders, and other individuals.