WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Austin Scott (GA-08), House Vice-Chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus (CSC), released the following statement on opening day of the historically short three-day federal red snapper fishing season in the Gulf of Mexico:

“As a life-long sportsman and CSC House Vice-Chairman, I am committed to protecting sportsmen’s access to our natural resources, which is why I am so fired up about the federal government’s continued assault on the recreational angler’s access to federal red snapper fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico,” said Rep. Scott.

“Thankfully there is a strong push for a solution that balances the unique needs of states and stakeholders with the rights of recreational anglers, and the momentum is growing. Sportsmen and women can rest assured that I am committed to continuing to work with my colleagues and House leadership to hammer out a solution that puts in place policies and programs that actually work.”

In March, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries announced that beginning June 1, 2017, the federal red snapper season for recreational fishermen will run for only three days, with the charter-for-hire season lasting for 49 days. In 2016, the recreational season lasted nine calendar days, with the charter-for-hire season lasting for 49 days. Currently, the commercial red snapper season is 365 per year. Click here for more information.

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