| Recreational
red snapper season opens June 1, 2008, with several new
rules going into effect. First of all, the season will be
abbreviated with it set to close Aug. 5, 2008. The reason
for the shortened season is the fact that Florida and Texas
refused to implement restricted harvest regulations in their
respective state waters to be consistent with federal requirements.
The
bag limit in federal waters is reduced to two fish per day,
with a zero bag limit for captain and crew of for hire charter
vessels. The minimum size limit remains at 16 inches total
length (TL). Texas and Florida state waters extend nine
miles from the coast and a significant snapper harvest is
taken from their state waters. In 2007, Texas kept its state
waters open year round with a bag limit of four fish per
day. Florida’s season ran from April 15 through Oct.
31. These non federal compatible regulations exceeded the
recreational red snapper quota by approximately one-million
pounds in 2007.
Recreational
landings from state waters off the west coast of Florida
account for more than 25 percent of the total Gulf of Mexico
recreational red snapper landings and over 50 percent of
Florida’s total recreational red snapper landings.
Red snapper landings from Texas state waters accounted for
30 percent of the state’s total recreational red snapper
landings.
Also
beginning June 1, 2008, anglers are required to use non-stainless
steel circle hooks when using natural baits to fish for
Gulf reef fish in federal waters. Additionally, dehooking
devices and venting tools are required. Reef fish species
include all snappers, groupers, sea bass, amberjacks, triggerfish,
hogfish, red porgy and tilefish. A dehooking device is an
instrument that allows the hook to be secured and the barb
shielded without re-engaging when the hook is removed. It
must be blunt, have rounded edges and be of a size appropriate
to secure the range of hook sizes and styles used for reef
fish. Dehooking devices come in a variety of shapes and
sizes. Use one that works best for the fish you are releasing.
If a fish swallows the hook or the fish is too big to release
from a boat, it may be better to cut the line as close as
possible to the hook instead of trying to remove it. A venting
tool can be any hollow, sharpened instrument that allows
gases to escape. Ice picks and knives are not suitable because
simply puncturing the fish is undesirable and can result
in a mortal injury.
It is
best to vent the fish as quickly as possible with a minimum
of handling. If the fish’s stomach is everted out
of the fish’s mouth, do not puncture it or attempt
to push it back into the fish’s body. Expelling the
swim bladder gases will allow the stomach to return to its
normal position within a few hours.
Hold
the fish gently but firmly on its side and insert the venting
tool at a 45-degree angle approximately one to two inches
back from the base of the pectoral fin. Only insert the
tool deep enough to release the gases — do not skewer
the fish. The sound of the escaping gas is audible and deflation
is noticeable. If a fish is extremely bloated, use the hand
holding the fish to exert gentle pressure on its abdomen
to aid deflation.
Return
the fish to the water as soon as possible. If necessary,
revive it by holding the fish with the head pointed downward
and moving the fish back and forth to pass water over the
gills until the fish is able to swim unassisted.
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