Gulf Council Asks Fishermen for Information on Spanish Mackerel

https://gulfcouncil.org/press/2023/g...nish-mackerel/

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For Immediate ReleaseApril 14, 2023

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council would like to gain a better understanding of what’s happening with Spanish mackerel in the Gulf of Mexico. The Council recognizes that as active fishermen, you may notice trends or interesting things happening in the Gulf that the scientists and managers may not be aware of yet.

We rely on your on-the-water expertise to guide our current understanding of what’s happening. A scientific stock assessment of Spanish mackerel will be reviewed by the Council’s scientific advisors, the Scientific and Statistical Committee this summer. The information you provide through our Fisherman Feedback Tool will help to inform scientists and managers as they formulate a current understanding of the Spanish mackerel stock.

Please submit your responses to our Fisherman Feedback tool for Spanish mackerel.

Responses are due by 5:00 PM, EST on May 19, 2023.

Thank you for taking the time to enhance our understanding of Spanish mackerel in the Gulf. Contact gulfcouncil@gulfcouncil.org if you have any questions.

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Please describe your Spanish mackerel observations

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I have fished for spanish mackerel from the Alabama/ FL Panhandle coast for over 50 years, and have never seen the fishery in such a sorry state. Numbers are way down and every year the days with significant mackerel catches from the beach piers are fewer. The main problem seems to stem from over predation mostly by Blacktip and Spinner sharks, along with other species such as Sandbar to a lesser extent. But as the numbers of Blacktips and Spinners has swollen over the past ten years, they have decimated the breeding population of spanish mackerel in the north central Gulf of Mexico. Without immediate and significant controls on the ever burgeoning shark populations in this region (and elsewhere I suspect), populations of spanish mackerel will continue to decrease exponentially no matter what management steps this Council takes on mackerel.

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My 2¢

Responded. Thanks #'r.

Well said. The real problem is the overabundance of Sharks. They effect the fishery as a whole. Unless something is done, it will get worse. When I was a kid, we would keep sharks caught [mostly sand or black tip] and bury them under the Peacan Trees for fertilizer. It was our way of culling the species. Same with Alligators, Copperheads and Cottonmouths dad would shoot everyone he saw. Now Sharks and Alligators are taking over. Just so you know, we always left King Snakes alone as they were beneficial to the area.

post removed, see below.

I replied. JFTR, I was not completely kind. Blunt and descriptive but tactful and respectful. (at least in my opinion)

Took me 3 edits ... but sometimes you just have to lay it on the line.

I encourage everyone to do the same.