Gulf Fishery Meeting Could Spell End of Critical Protection for Sea Turtles

But Council May Propose Better Management For Red Snapper

Posted: 09-Jan-2003; Updated: 24-Jul-2007

A key safeguard for endangered sea turtles may be endangered itself if the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council recommends ending the "Texas Closure," a summer prohibition on shrimp trawling within 200 miles of the Texas coast. The council, which meets in San Antonio next week, may also take the first steps toward implementing a much-needed Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) program for the red snapper fishery.

"The Council could undo 20 years of protection for Kemp's ridley sea turtles during their sensitive mating and nesting season if it eliminates the Texas Closure," said Pamela Baker, a fisheries biologist with Environmental Defense. "On the other hand the Council has a great opportunity to help protect jobs and the environment if it quickly recommends IFQs to rebuild the snapper fishery."

Established two decades ago to provide a safe-haven for shrimp to grow larger and more valuable before harvesting, the Texas Closure has delivered an important ancillary benefit by protecting endangered Kemp's ridley sea turtles that nest on Texas beaches.Citing a more favorable market demand for smaller shrimp, some shrimpers are expected to ask the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council to recommend abolishing the closure.

The Council can recommend that federal regulators begin work to implement an IFQ program for red snapper as early as next fall now that a six-year Congressional moratorium on IFQs has been lifted, as requested by the Gulf Council, fishermen, and some environmentalists. With IFQs, fishermen are assigned individual shares of the annual catch. The shares, or permits to harvest a quantity of fish, can be bought or sold, giving fishermen flexibility in planning their business activity and curtailing incentives that drive them to overfish. IFQs have proven to be superior to current regulations that create unsafe fishing, cause fishermen to waste fish, and force them to bankruptcy.

"IFQs represent the most promising tool fishery councils have to combat overfishing and give fishermen a direct stake in sustainable fisheries," said Pete Emerson, a senior economist with Environmental Defense. "With the Congressional ban lifted, the Gulf Council can lead the nation by supporting an IFQ program for red snapper that delivers immediate conservation and economic benefits."

FIND OUT MORE

The Great Texas Turtle Rescue - the fight to save Kemp's ridleys with streaming video

Individual Fishing Quotas - how they benefit both fishermen and fish

Protecting the Gulf of Mexico - what we're doing there and how you can help