Red Drum Restrictions Eased Amidst Controversy

Earlier this month the DMF issued a proclamation easing restrictions on red-drum trip limits, effective Oct. 11. 

The proclamation allows for the catch of up to five red drum per trip regardless of the number of individual vessels involved in a fishing operation. Viable red drum catch must be greater than 18 inches total length but no greater than 27 inches total length. 

The action comes amidst mounting tension between commercial and recreational fishing interests. While commercial fishermen and many recreational fishermen are seeing record numbers of the fish some recreational fishing interests maintain that red drum are an under managed species. Many recreational fishing lobbies view a "well managed fishery" as one controlled by recreational interests and lobby to limit if not ban commercial access to the red drum. 

One of the more vocal recreational groups to set their sites on red drum is the Coastal Conservation Association of North Carolina (CCA-NC). The group recently suffered a major setback when a Recreational Saltwater Fishing License (RSFL) proposal was tabled in the last short session of the NC General Assembly. The CCA-NC is taking an overtly anti-commercial fishing posture in light of that setback. 

CCA-NC Executive Director Bill Harrell tells North Carolina Sportsman this month that a campaign for a total gill net ban is among the fallback options his organization is considering. Harrell goes on to say that NCFA opposed the RSFL because commercial fishing interests are in total control of North Carolina's marine resources. "They have it exactly how they want it. They catch what they want to, when they want to, with whatever gear they want to." 

NCFA President Jerry Schill takes issue with Harrell's statement. "Anyone that has been remotely connected to fisheries management knows that assertion is absurd. And therein lies the problem with groups like the CCA that complain about having problems getting their agenda through the General Assembly," Schill says. "They complain about a lack of clout. They need to worry about a thing called credibility." 

Anyone interested in reading North Carolina Sportsman's interview with Bill Harrell may contact the NCFA office by phone: (252) 633-2288; or Email: tradewinds@ncfish.org .