Red snapper fishing rules stir dispute | pnj.com | Pensacola News Journal

Red snapper fishing rules stir dispute | pnj.com | Pensacola News Journal: "Many Pensacola fishermen say federal regulations intended to protect the red snapper population in the Gulf of Mexico have worked too well. Now they say the Gulf's marquee species is out of control."
"You can go out there anywhere and that's all you catch is red snapper. It's amazing. There's more red snapper right now than there ever has been in history," said Paul Redman, charterboat captain and president of the Reef Fish Restoration Association.

Despite numbers of snapper that fishermen are describing as a "nuisance," the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is considering a controversial rule change this week that would shorten the recreational red snapper season in state waters.

This change would mean more than two fewer months of snapper fishing for private fishermen, but it is largely supported by charter operators, most of whom are required to abide by stricter federal regulations.