As previously posted here, the most recent stock assessment of red drum by the Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries revealed that the species is being overfished in the Bayou State. And that unless management changes are initiated soon to reduce harvest, we could see redfish recruitment fall below the conservation standard for three decades or more.
Marine biologists with LDWF submitted a chart of different scenarios that would reduce harvest 35% or more. That 35 percent marks the very minimum for which the Spawning Potential Ratio (SPR) can return to the Conservation Standard. Obviously, the higher the reduction, the faster the recovery, and the long term viability will be stronger.
The FFI Gulf Coast Council is reviewing these scenarios for a recommendation to the Commission. One immediate action that the GCC, CCA Louisiana, and other groups have offered is elimination of the oversize slot allowance. Currently 1 red over 27 inches is allowed per day.
Recently, State Senator Bret Allain of New Iberia and 19 co-authors offered a resolution (SCR 46) requesting the Commission to ban the harvest of bull reds (over 27″). Last week, SCR 46 passed the full Senate by a rare unanimous vote. Although a legislative resolution does not carry the obligation of a legislative bill, this vote is a clear signal to the Commission that this action should be taken asap.
Meanwhile, one group of charter captains is also supporting a reduced slot size with a four (4) fish daily limit. The exact slot size was not mentioned, but we’re told it met the minimum 35 percent reduction.
The Gulf Coast Council is standing by it’s original stance in that the reduction must be at least 40 percent. By decreasing the harvest from 35 to 40 percent, the number of years it will take to get the SPR at or above the Conservation Standard is cut in half! All of the scenarios we are reviewing are based on the condition that over-the-slot harvest is eliminated. That condition seems to be very favorable at this point.
One question that some have asked, “How does Louisiana’s creel and size limits compare to other states?”. Below is a snapshot from a recent presentation. There are 11 states that manage for red drum, the chart below shows the current regulations for the 7 states with a significant redfish population. It should be pointed out that a couple of these states are reporting overfishing as well, and their limits could be restricted further over the near future. TO VIEW IMAGE IN FULL SIZE, RIGHT CLICK ON “OPEN IMAGE IN NEW TAB”.
In 2020, the Eastern Shore Fly Fishers of Alabama hosted a first of its kind fly fishing only tournament in the Mobile Bay area and surrounding waters. The tournament format was Catch-Tag-Photo-Release (CTPR) targeting the Atlantic Tripletail only. Participants used dart tagging kits and the Fishing Chaos app to log and submit their catches.
The popularity and success of the event has exploded since that first year. In fact, there is a limit for registration of teams participating and that limit is usually reached months before the tournament is held. In 2022, the Eastern Shore club was awarded the Gulf Coast Council’s “Conservation Excellence Award” for their efforts in promoting tripletail research.
The FFI Gulf Coast Council will again be participating in the “Conservation Causeway” at the Tripletail Classic. The Causeway was created as an outreach opportunity for organizations from south Alabama and the Gulf region with an environmental stewardship mission to connect with the recreational fishing and boating community in the area. With over 150 folks in attendance, this is a great opportunity to share our involvement in conservation issues.
Each year, wildlife agencies in each state designate “Free Fishing Days” for the public to fish recreationally in public waters without a fishing license. These events are part of National Fishing and Boating Week, a celebration of the importance of recreational boating and fishing in America, which this year runs June 3rd through 11th.
At the recent Gulf Coast Classic in Gulf Shores, Ben Roussel, Director for the Suncatch Challenge program, gave an overview of the program including a few exciting new changes effective as of May 1st.
Yesterday public registration for our inaugural Gulf Coast Classic – set for May 5th and 6th in Gulf Shores, Alabama – went live. Folks can register by going to the Classic website at 
What do you do with shoreline protection structure no longer needed? If it’s hard structure like concrete or wire cages, then one application is reefs. Oysters, barnacles, and many other crustaceans find this stuff to be great real estate… a good place to start a new home!
