The state’s Wildlife and Fisheries Commission approves stricter catch limits for redfish in state waters in an effort to preserve the population of the popular fish. Commissioner Joe McPherson says sportsmen back their plan of reducing the catch limit from five redfish per day, per angler to three…
“There’s a recognition the redfish population is in trouble. That there’s diminished fishing success.”
The minimum size allowed would change from 16 to 18 inches and anglers can no longer keep a redfish above 24 inches.
Biologists suggested a limit of four redfish caught per day, per angler. But McPherson says a catch limit of three would speed up the recovery of the redfish population from 30 years to ten years.
“It was almost unanimous that they wanted even more restrictions and a faster recovery period because of the distress that redfish are in.”
The plan will undergo a public comment period that will last until October 25. McPherson says the catch limit changes could go into effect in early December, if an oversight committee of the state legislature does not step in…
“If the legislature is in agreement if they don’t get too much pushback and they get a lot of people telling them why they need to let this proposal go forward then there won’t be an oversight hearing and it will go into effect.”
Comments