Thread: Florida sets 52 day Red Snapper season.

I believe you would need a florida fishing license to have snapper on the boat if you came to a alabama port if it were out of season in alabama an in season in florida. Correct me if im wrong. Is there any chance that alabama would extend its days that you can fish for snapper in state waters? If they state doesnt then they lose out on a lot of revenue. I know 3 miles out is not the best for snapper fishing but there are reefs and rigs that do hold snapper within 3 miles.

Found this in the (LAW) book: Fish taken in jurisdictions outside the State of Alabama may be transported through the State provided the person transporting the fish has proof that he or she is duly licensed or permitted in the jurisdiction from which the fish were caught and further proof in the form of a vessel log that the fish were taken in the jurisdiction in which he or she is duly licensed or permitted.

Wholeheartedly agree, AL needs to tell the Feds to kiss off.

Take heed AL!
Louisiana sets 2014 red-snapper season | NOLA.com

Louisiana's non-compliant state-specific red snapper season in 2013 was a shot across the bow of the sinking ship manned by federal fisheries regulators.
Through the LA Creel Survey system, Louisiana proved it could better count the fish being caught off its coast, and the numbers the state gathered were partially responsible for the feds instituting an additional two-week snapper season last fall.
It worked so well that Louisiana's going to do it again.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced Monday it will open the state season Friday. As in last year's season, anglers will be able to fish in state waters every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, except on Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, when the season will be open on Monday as well.
In a change from last year's season, however, anglers will be limited to two red snapper each during the state-specific season. Last year, anglers were allowed three snapper each day.
Louisiana considers state waters to be anything from the coast extending out to three marine leagues, or 10.4 miles. The federal government says Louisiana's regulation authority extends out to only three miles from the coast.
This caused some tension last year when the Coast Guard got involved in ticketing anglers who possessed red snapper in the disputed waters.
In announcing the state season Monday, the department also issued a warning: "LDWF officials encourage fishermen to use caution and their own personal judgment when fishing beyond the three-mile boundary that is currently recognized as federal waters, as it is fully expected that federal agents will continue to enforce federal law. Until the time when the U.S. Congress confirms Louisiana's action, the battle will continue over Louisiana's state water boundary.
The decision to open the state season was made by department Secretary Robert Barham, who was given that authority by the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission in 2013.
The season will remain open until Barham decides to close it.
When the federal season kicks in June 1, Louisiana anglers will be allowed to harvest red snapper throughout the week in accordance with federal guidelines.
Any angler who harvests red snapper and returns to a Louisiana port is required to first obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit, which is available through the department website at Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, or by clicking here.


**************
Todd Masson can be reached at tmasson@nola.com or 504.232.3054.

I notice the stories in the news that western states want to get control of Federal lands in their states (in the news because of the Bundy dispute in Nevada). I've got a feeling there is the basis of a political coalition there between the westerners and the coastal states. It might take a while, but maybe something can happen along the lines of Dr. Shipp's 20 fathom proposal.

That would be ideal.

Marine resources got back to me and said you can transport snapper from open waters to Alabama as long as you stop all fishing when you hit AL waters.

I would keep a copy of it in wrighting on the boat because your not only dealing with marine resources,but with OBPD, state marine police and worst of all the USCG. Two state,one city and the feds. To the best of my knowledge, AL is still enforceing a posession law insread of a "you have to be caught in the act of" type of deal. What gets me,all the state has to do is open state waters and then we can run to the east no more than three miles out then start heading south once were in FL.

gleaned from another site...

we are working diligently with the federal government and the other Gulf states to make some change. I have copied our Director's public comment on the situation below my contact information.
In order to clear up some confusion I want to explain to you how to fish in another jurisdiction and return to Alabama legally.
1. You must have a valid license and meet all legal requirements (size, creel etc.) for the jurisdiction you would like to fish. In your case you would need a license for Florida.
2. You must be legal to possess fish in Alabama so you would need an Alabama saltwater license to possess fish and you would need enough to cover the limit of fish. For example if you had 8 red snapper you would need 4 licensed fishermen unless you had children or senior adults who are exempt. Anyone 65 or older would need to have the free saltwater angler registry.
3. You may only transit in state waters. That includes FL and AL waters. If you cut into federal waters the possession limit is 0 and we will issue citations for that.
4. You may not stop for any other reason than a true mechanical or medical emergency, you may only transit directly to your dock or launch. If your vessel is not in transit you will receive a citation.
I hope this helps clear up any confusion and feel free to contact me any time and also feel free to share this email or my contact information with others. It is our goal to allow people to fish not to eliminate the ability. Good luck and thank you for enjoying the fishing in the Gulf.

Major Scott Bannon
Chief Enforcement Officer
Alabama Marine Resources Division

Here are the minutes of the latest Conservation Advisory Board meeting. It's worth a read to get the pulse on what Montgomery is planning. Remember these goobers are not on the side of the little guy.
Also here is a list of the people/corporations who filed the lawsuit that basically sez "Screw you" to the recreational anglers in this fiasco.
KENNETH GUINDON
QUALITY AMERICAN SEAFOOD, LLC
A&B SEAFOOD, INC
WILLIAM WRIGHT,
WALKER FISHING FLEET, INC.,
DAVID WALKER
LINDA BOVAIRD
BLUE DOLPHIN FISHING, INC
LEWIS T BESSINGER
JAMES M WHITFIELD
WILLIAM COCHRANE
CHRISTOPHER NIQUET
BARTHOLOMEW NIQUET
JAMES M CLEMENTS
BUCCANEER FISH CO.
JOHN ANDERSON
GLENHART BROOKS , III
RUSSELL UNDERWOOD
F/V DREAMCATCHER, INC.
ARIEL SEAFOODS OF FLORIDA, INC
DAVID KREBS
DONALD A. WATERS
WAYNE WERNER
KATIE'S SEAFOOD MARKET, LLC
KEITH GUINDON
MARTIN ARNOLD,
FISH FOR AMERICA, LLC
GULF FISHERMEN'S ASSOCIATION, INC.
GULF OF MEXICO REEF FISH SHAREHOLDER'S ALLIANCE

I don't know what good knowing their names is but I like to know the ones who are against me.

Also here is a link to a breakdown as to WHY this is happening. And yes $$$$ is the bottom line.
Captain Tom Hilton and Steve Southerland

"In a recent debate before the entire House of Representatives, Rep. Southerland (a Republican) joined ranks with liberal Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank (a Democrat) in passing legislation designed to halt funding on the spread of this all-out fish grab. Also known as 'catch shares' or individual fishing quotas (IFQs), this devious plan devised by PEW and EDF has had a debilitating impact on the New England fishing communities, forcing small-scale operators, individual owners and private anglers out of action while allowing big corporate operators, often from out of the region, to buy their way into ownership of what once was a public natural resource."

Boys (and girls) we are being @#$%#$d without being kissed.

I know that is a lot of reading but if you enjoy or feel as though you have a right to fish the gulf then a little knowledge about this and what it is possibly going to do to your rights is what we all need to have. There is a lot of pure BS info floating around, rumor and innuendo so it is up to each and every one of us to get the actual facts.

If FL and LA go non-compliant, which they are going to do, they could catch the entire "remaining" quota before the Federal season opens, which kill the federal season. Be prepared for no snapper season off AL this year.

Yep, its a fiasco, with no end in sight.........