Commissioners call for extending Red Snapper season

Posted on: May 19th, 2017 | News and Announcements

The Mobile County Commission adopted a resolution in support of extending the federal Recreational Red Snapper Season. The resolution was adopted at the Commission conference meeting (work session) today. It was sent to Congressman Bradley Byrne, and Senators Richard Shelby and Luther Strange. The season is slated to run June 1-4. The resolution states, ?The 2017 season will be the shortest in history for Gulf red snapper fishing in federal waters; red snapper fishing is a major tourism attraction for the Alabama Gulf Coast, with an economic impact benefiting coastal communities and counties in the hundreds of millions of dollars; and the shortened recreational red snapper fishing season will negatively impact these areas?? District 3 Commissioner Jerry Carl, whose Third District includes Dauphin Island and Bayou la Batre, noted that extending the season is supported by not only recreational anglers, but environmental experts and state data. "Again we see another branch of our government that is totally out of touch with ?We the People.? These fisheries are ours not some group of bureaucrats that wants to show their control.? District 2 Commissioner Connie Hudson said, ?Not only does the shortest season ever cut down on recreational opportunities, it may create a danger by forcing all anglers on to the roads, ramps and water at the same time. A longer season increases the leisure time and lessens the danger. This will especially important if any of the allowed days is a bad weather day.?