The following statement was issued by Meredith Moore, director of the Fish Conservation Program, in response to the results of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee meeting, which recommended red snapper catch levels based on a review of recent scientific information, including the preliminary results of Great Red Snapper Count:

“Ocean Conservancy commends the work of the Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and appreciates their thoughtful approach to ensuring science-based fishing level recommendations for the red snapper fishery. Their review of the preliminary results of Great Red Snapper Count was thorough and appropriate.

“Given the significant uncertainty in the science considered, the SSC’s decision will help keep rebuilding on track to bring the stock back to healthy levels for all fishing communities in the Gulf. We maintain our optimism that the Great Red Snapper Count will provide helpful insight into the health of the stock after it goes through the regular peer review and stock assessment process in the Gulf of Mexico.”