When it comes to the Red Snapper mess, it’s said that the state approach is simply a better way to manage a fishery as a whole. State agencies put more stock in what a fish population actually looks like and how it’s responding to management in real time, rather than basing everything on estimates of what is caught.

On top of that, each state has demonstrated through their own programs that they can get better estimates than the federal angler data collection program. This allows them to respond more quickly when needed, keep the season open longer when appropriate, and allows a more accurate prediction on season length the following year.

The federal government has had decades to get red snapper management right. It’s time to let the states finally provide the remedy.

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