Top Trump administration officials knew extending the red snapper fishing season in the Gulf of Mexico from three to 42 days this summer would lead to significant overfishing, internal memos show. But, as USA Today reports, they did it anyway.
In memos released in response to an environmental lawsuit, Commerce officials said the three-day season would be “devastating” to the recreational marine industry and the communities whose economies are tied to it.
An extension also would help solve a long-running dispute with states who have longer seasons and want control of red snapper management, they said.
“It would result in overfishing of the stock by six million pounds (40%), which will draw criticism from environmental groups and commercial fishermen,” Earl Comstock, director of Policy and Strategic Planning for Commerce, conceded in a June 1 memo to his boss, Secretary Wilbur Ross. “However, NMFS agrees that this stock could handle this level on a temporary basis.”
There was little opponents could do about it because the law governing federal fisheries—the Magnuson Stevens Act—prevents a judge from issuing a temporary restraining order, Comstock also noted.
“Your action would remain in effect for at least 45 days before a court could act,” he said.
Ross announced the extension two weeks later.
