In this week’s election, one issue drawing overwhelming support was the right to fish and hunt added by voters to the Florida constitution. Meanwhile, anglers were allowed just a single day to fish for red snapper in the South Atlantic in 2024 and NOAA Fisheries is talking about new rules that could bring even more restrictions to that fishery.
First, in Florida, unlike most states that require a simple majority vote to pass any constitutional amendment, the Sunshine State calls for a minimum 60% vote. On Tuesday, outdoor enthusiasts topped that need and confirmed Amendment 2 by chalking up 67.4% yes votes to 32.6% nays.
Proponents claimed the amendment to the constitution was needed to guard against any future efforts to take away their fishing and hunting rights, as has happened in other states. Specifically, the amendment declares: “Fishing, hunting, and the taking of fish and wildlife, including by the use of traditional methods, shall be preserved forever as a public right and preferred means of responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife.”
In addition, a very important point is the amendment makes clear that it doesn’t limit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s authority to manage species. It does declare that good conservation practices should be built around fishing and hunting.
Do any other states give anglers such a constitutional guarantee? Surprisingly, yes. To date, a total of 24 states now enjoy constitutional provisions that protect the right to fish and hunt. Historically, this right was first constitutionalized in Vermont in 1777. Between the country’s founding in 1776 and the mid-1990s, Vermont remained the only state with the right protected in its state constitution.
Since then, 22 additional states led by Alabama started doing the same, though none until 1996. Since then, aside from Florida, the most recent state to adopt such an amendment was Utah, where it was approved by a whopping 75% of voters in 2020. Only one such initiative didn’t make it — in Arizona in 2010.
But there’s no similar joy today in that NOAA Fisheries is now exploring new rules that could bring even more restrictions than currently imposed to the popular South Atlantic red snapper fishery.
Background: Since 2010, the South Atlantic red snapper fishery has rebounded so much that scientists and fishermen all agree the stock is at record abundance. Indeed, it’s believed there are now more red snapper swimming in the South Atlantic today than ever.
Despite these findings, anglers were allowed just a single day to fish for red snapper in the South Atlantic in 2024. Now, NOAA Fisheries is reportedly exploring new rules that could bring even more restrictions to the fishery.
It’s time to get involved. The American Sportfishing Association is already pushing back against such measures. And the call for help is out now! ASA has created an action portal where anglers, boat dealers, tackle shops, fishing clubs and more can submit comments directly to NOAA.
Dealers are urged to help spread the word to their staff and all customers. “No Action” is the only viable alternative for this potentially devastating rule, says ASA. Share this action alert below and demand science-based fisheries management of the Atlantic Red Snapper.
