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Regulators Cut Red Snapper Catch But Spare Season

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 8, 2008

Florida regulators cut the daily red snapper catch limit for charter boats Thursday, but rejected shortening the state's snapper fishing season - a compromise intended to save the overfished species with an eye to the economic fears of Panhandle fishermen.

"Our job is to protect both the fishery and the people, and this is a balance of that," said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissioner Brian S. Yablonski, who offered the compromise to a strict plan that would have imposed tougher red snapper guidelines for federal waters on Florida's waters, which extend 9 miles from the coast.

"I don't think we can be so fixed in our views as regulators that there is only one way to help the snapper," he said.

Business, Page 2

•The original plan would have cut the snapper season by almost three months to June 1 through Sept. 30. The plan approved by the commission keeps the season open from April 15 through Oct. 31.

•By failing to fully adopt the federal guidelines, state regulators threaten the future of red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico, said Chris Dorsett of The Ocean Conservancy.

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