The future of Louisiana redfish

The Louisiana Gulf and one of the most iconic species within it are in trouble. Redfish were once one of the most abundant species within the Gulf, but their numbers are crashing and a new notice of intent to change fishing regulations is set to hit the Governor’s desk.

A recent stock assessment has the redfish population in Louisiana at 8.7 million fish, down from over 21 million recorded in 2009.

The rapid decline in fish numbers along with the ecological and economical impacts of such a crash led conservation groups to get involved regarding new conservation policies.

The American Saltwater Guides Association (ASGA) is a conservation group made up of guides and business owners within the saltwater fishing industry, as well as recreational anglers. The group’s aim is to combat poor policy decisions and help shape new saltwater regulations at the state and federal level. The group’s bottom line is to look past short term monetary benefits and fight for healthy fisheries for future anglers and businesses.

The ASGA became involved with the issue after the state drafted a notice of intent to change redfish regulations. While the ASGA agreed with a change in policy, they found the initial notice of intent to be far too passive. The original intent suggested changing the slot limit on redfish to 18-27 inches, a four fish limit, offering only a 35% decrease in fish mortality. These regulations, if implemented, wouldn’t reach stock recovery goals until 2050, a timeline the ASGA thinks is too far down the road.

“The more years you tack onto a fisheries recovery plan, you might as well be using a Ouija Board,” ASGA vice president and policy director Tony Friedrich said. “You’re basically condemning an entire future (of anglers and fish).”

To help the situation, the ASGA worked closely with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to help draft an alternative plan that would change the slot limit to 18-24 inches and a three fish limit, with no limit for guides of charter boats, either.

Friedrich said the three inch reduction on the upper end of the slot limit is important because while red fish grow rapidly early in their life, they slow down dramatically when they get bigger. The new suggestion would help fish reach the large size Louisiana is known for.

“Redfish grow really fast up to around 26 inches then they grow as fast as an oak,” Friedrich said. “It's not like we are asking for mega reductions, or catch and release only.”

Commercial fishing for reds was banned in 1988 so 93% of mortality is coming from hook and line recreationalist and charter boats.

ASGA got the Louisiana Wildlife and Fish commission to amend its original notice of intent, changing it to the 18-24 inch slot and three fish limit. The new notice went out for public comment and ended in October. The notice of intent, as well as ASGA’s position, stayed based on the public support, which included business owners, anglers, fishing guides, and brand representatives from around the country, demanding stricter regulations to rebuild the stock faster.

While some worried about the proposal’s effect on anglers looking to keep and cook fish, ASGA stressed that a lack of fish would be a far bigger economic problem.

According to the guides association, one catch and release fly fishing guide with over 200 guiding days a year will generate $450,000 in overall angler expenditures for Louisiana.

Unfortunately for ASGA and the public who supported the updated regulations, the house natural resources committee, a joint oversight committee where only the house voted, deemed the new notice of intent unacceptable.

The committee felt the proposed management plan was too aggressive with its restrictions and chose to not approve the plan.

The committee still needed approval from the governor, however. The ASGA, along with the public that supported the bill, brought their case to Governor John Bel Edwards in hopes he would veto the committee's decision, thus implementing the original plan. Unfortunately, again for those pushing the 18-24 inch slot limit, Edwards did not veto the notice of intent, sending the ASGA and all those involved back to square one for helping push forward the faster rebuilding plan.

The fight is not over, however, as the ASGA along with the guides and business owners who supported the failed proposal are already back to work, pressing the issue with the Wildlife and Fisheries Commision.

A new governor is also set to take office in Louisiana for 2024 and the ASGA is already planning to plead their case to him.

With a new fight just beginning, be sure and keep an eye out, or check back with Fishbrain, later this year to stay informed on this important moment for the Gulf’s most iconic species.

You can also check out the ASGA website and subscribe to their newsletter to stay informed and to keep an eye out for public comment chances to share your voice.

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