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Restoring the Health of Gulf of Mexico Fisheries

Media Contact: Tom McCann

Contrary to what your mother told you, there are only so many fish in the sea. And, while most people recognize that the ocean’s bounty is central to our very survival, we have failed to recognize that ocean resources are finite. They can be exhausted.

As a result, rules for managing how many fish we take out of the Gulf were developed as if the Gulf would teem with fish forever. This way of thinking has led to the alarming decline of key fish like red snapper, gag grouper, and greater amberjack—fish that most of us in the Gulf consider our signature fish. Beyond the dinner table, these declines have far-reaching effects on the Gulf ecosystem and the economic viability of our fishing communities and the fishermen they support.

Pointing to the Problem - Overfishing
Overfishing means catching more fish than the population can replace much like spending more money than you earn. The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy recently identified overfishing as one of the greatest threats to our oceans and stressed that we must end this destructive practice in order to have healthy oceans for the future.

For over two decades, Gulf fishery managers, whose responsibility it is to protect and sustain our fish populations, have failed in their duty to maintain healthy fish populations by allowing destructive overfishing. According to the Ocean Conservancy’s latest Overfishing Scorecard, Gulf fishery managers rank 7th out of 8 Regional Councils in their success at ending the overfishing of the most important species and rebuilding depleted these fish populations.

So how did we get here? Gulf fishery managers have ignored science. They have repeatedly set catch levels too high, disregarding the sensible, sustainable levels that scientists say we need. Science is fundamental to sound fisheries management. Other regions of the US employing science-based management enjoy the benefits of sustainability — healthy fish populations and healthy fishing economies. Recently, Congress has recognized this fact by amending our nation’s fishery management laws to strengthen the role of science and requiring an end to overfishing by 2010.

A Roadmap for Success
We are now at an important crossroad in the Gulf. By tackling this problem, as tough as it may be in the short term, we can chart the course for a brighter future. Gulf fishery managers must develop and implement management tools that safeguard the health of the Gulf’s ecosystem and ensure long-term, economically viable fishing opportunities. In order to restore the health of red snapper, gag grouper, and greater amberjack, Gulf managers must take the following actions now:

• End overfishing by setting science-based catch limits;
• Make sure that effective measures are in place to keep catches within these limits.
• Stop wasteful bycatch;
• Provide economic incentives to achieve conservation benefits; and
• Rebuild depleted fish populations in a timely manner.

Along with our work on key fish populations, we have identified other critical problems within our fishery management system. We are working to:

• Secure improved data and data collection systems. Improvement of the recreational data collection system and the use of unbiased observers are critical to getting better information.
• Enhance law enforcement to reduce the amount of illegally harvested fish.

The Big Payoff Realizing the Benefits
Ending overfishing is a win-win situation for everyone. It’s good for fish, for fishermen, and the coastal economies that depend on sustainable fishing. Only through responsible stewardship can we have healthy fisheries that will benefit both the ecosystem and those who make their living from the Gulf. By ending overfishing now we will allow more and bigger fish to thrive in the Gulf of Mexico. And, that is the kind of lasting legacy we want for future generations.

Maps

Click here to view a map of the most productive commercial fishing ports in the Gulf of Mexico, by both landings and dollar value.	Click here to view a map of the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) throughout the Gulf of Mexico as well as fish habitat and spawning ground.

© Copyright 2010 Ocean Conservancy
The Ocean Conservancy, International Coastal Cleanup and Ocean Action Network are registered trademarks of Ocean Conservancy.

Visit www.oceanconservancy.org/contactus for regional office addresses and email information.

Printed on , © Copyright 2010 Ocean Conservancy
The Ocean Conservancy, International Coastal Cleanup and Ocean Action Network are registered trademarks of Ocean Conservancy.

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