EDF Applauds Gulf Fishery Council's Marine
Reserve Decision
July 16, 1999
Closed Fishing Area Will Protect Gag Grouper Spawning
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) today praised the Gulf of Mexico Fishery
Management Council for adopting a proposal yesterday to help ensure the survival of the
gag grouper, one of Florida's most economically important fish species.
Studies conducted by scientists over the last decade indicate that the gag
grouper population is declining, and the proportion of male gag has dropped dramatically.
Working with fisherman, environmentalists and government fishery managers, the Gulf
Council approved the creation of "no fishing" areas off the West Coast of
Florida on Thursday.
"The imperiled status of gag has been well established by scientists,"
said EDF fisheries biologist Pam Baker. "The decline of the gag, including the male,
and the serious signs of inbreeding, are all the result of excessive fishing of the
species. A closed fishing area offers the best potential to protect the gag and help
foster its recovery."
The Gulf Council is responsible for managing fisheries in the federal waters of
the Gulf of Mexico. The gag grouper reserve, the first of its kind in the Gulf of Mexico,
will close two sites, each slightly larger than 100 square nautical miles, to all fishing,
year-round. Scientists will conduct field studies over the next several years to evaluate
the effectiveness of the closed fishing areas.
The Environmental Defense Fund, a leading national NY-based nonprofit
organization, represents 300,000 members. EDF links science, economics, and law to create
innovative, equitable, and economically viable solutions to today's environmental
problems.
Related Links:
Gag
Grouper: The Facts
Marine
Reserves: A Promising Tool
Reserve
Proposed in California
The National Ocean Service's
MapFinder - The National Ocean Service's (NOS) MapFinder Web service provides
direct Internet access to NOS imagery and data holdings for coastal photography, nautical
charts, historical maps, coastal survey maps, environmental sensitivity index maps,
hydrographic survey outlines, water level stations, estuarine bathymetry, and geodetic
control points...
Top of Page
