"What is the current biological condition of the redfish fishery?
The current target set by the National Marine Fisheries Service is for 30% of all redfish to escape from the fishery in inshore waters to achieve a 20% SSBR or "spawning stock biomass per recruit." SSBR is simply the ratio of the total weight of mature fish in a fished stock to the total weight that would exist if the stock were unfished. Based on the latest Louisiana data, our SSBR is between 40 and 44%. If this data is correct, Louisiana's escapement rate is at least 69%. Gulfwide SSBR should reach 20% by 1997. When gulfwide goals are met, federal waters may be reopened to redfish harvest. If neither state nor federal regulations are eased at that time, adult redfish will continue to increase (to a limit) in offshore waters, beyond the reach of most fishermen. "
ding, ding, ding, ding. MS is actually asking NMFS to lift the federal ban on restrictions on offshore redfish to allow anglers to start keeping 1 (one). Be curious if other states follow suit.
Now the Million $$$ question: What is the current biological condition of the trout fishery???
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