New Department of Commerce regulation is expected to cut Alabama’s red snapper limits in half
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) today voiced his concerns about the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (DOC) new rule requiring the National Marine Fisheries Service to convert all fisheries into a single, less accurate federal system, and the negative implications it will have for Alabama’s red snapper industry.
“Once again, the Biden administration is trying to force its one-size-fits-all approach and ignore the adverse effects of its decisions,” said Senator Tuberville.“Red snapper fishing is a huge part of Alabama’s Gulf Coast economy, which is why I’ll continue pushing back against the Department of Commerce’s disastrous proposal to decrease limits for red snapper anglers based on inaccurate data.”
BACKGROUND
Last August, Senator Tuberville joined his congressional colleagues in urging Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to reverse the department’s proposed rule that would undo the National Marine Fisheries Service’s standard of setting quotas and annual catch data on a state-by-state basis. Instead, the department proceeded with its rule to implement a standardized catch limit in all states, even those like Alabama with fishery programs that are certified by the National Marine Fisheries Service. This rule is expected to severely cut Alabama’s red snapper catch limits for 2023 by 51 percent, according to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, and HELP Committees.
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