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I. INTRODUCTION
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has conducted a series of west coast public hearings on snook management. The FWC hearings were in response to continuing comments and concerns expressed by veteran snook anglers and guides, particularly in the Charlotte Harbor area. The primary concern is that the numbers of large snook (greater than 34") were continuing to decline. In addition, the FWC's 2001 Stock Assessment indicates that west coast snook populations are at approximately 28% SPR (spawning potential ratio) which is below the Commission's resource protection goal of 40% SPR.
II. WEST COAST SNOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
· RECOMMENDATION #1 - MAINTAIN 40% SPR - RESOURCE PROTECTION GOAL
CCA Florida supported the 40% goal when it was originally adopted by the Marine Fisheries Commission because it represents a higher conservation standard than what is used for other species. Sea trout is managed for 35% SPR, mullet - 35% SPR, and the redfish goal is 40% juvenile escapement rate to offshore adult stocks. Snook is one of Florida's premier recreational fisheries; thus, the preference is to manage snook for maximum abundance and larger (trophy) fish rather than for maximum yield. In addition, the higher standard was chosen because snook are subjected to occasional severe mortality by early winter freezes. We recommend maintaining the 40% SPR goal, which means that additional restrictions are needed to bring the current estimated 28% SPR up to the 40% goal.
The FWC staff examined several management options and ran computer simulations to estimate the SPR result. Please see FWC Table 5 (shown as attachment A) - in particular note the column entitled "Assessment SPR". CCA Florida used this analysis to develop the additional recommendations.
· RECOMMENDATION #2 - REDUCE DAILY BAG LIMIT TO ONE FISH
There was unanimous support for this measure.
· RECOMMENDATION #3 - CLOSE HARVEST DURING MONTH OF MAY
The one fish limit is not enough to raise the SPR to at least 40%; thus, something more is needed. Closing the month of May is preferred over changing the slot size to a narrow 4" slot. In addition, it is known that snook begin to aggregate and spawn in mid - May, so addition spawning season protection is provided by a May closure. Closing May would be in addition to maintaining all the current closed months; we do not support opening August in return for closing May.
· RECOMMENDATION #4 - MAINTAIN CURRENT SLOT SIZE OF 26" - 34" AT THIS TIME
· RECOMMENDATION #5 - FWC SHOULD IMPLEMENT NEW RULES IN TIME FOR A MAY CLOSURE IN 2002
III. CLOSING NOTE - WEST COAST ONLY AT THIS TIME
We support the FWC's proposed action to address only the west coast management issue at this time even though the current stock assessment shows east coast SPR at approximately 34%. The reason is that although the SPR is less than the 40% goal, the fishing mortality rate on the east coast has been (since 1992) consistently lower, and closer to the target level, than the Gulf Coast. We would also note that comments and concerns from east coast anglers have not been as strong or continuing as on the west coast. Therefore, we support the FWC staff's recommendation to defer any east coast adjustments until after completion of the 2002 stock assessment.
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