St. Thomas Law Review
First Page
389
Document Type
Article
Abstract
Since 1981, every state bordering the Gulf of Mexico has introduced some form of restrictions on the use of gillnets in nearshore waters.' Many recreational fishermen and conservationists have argued that gillnets severely deplete fish stocks and indiscriminately kill marine life Seeking to conserve natural resources, conservationists have mounted campaigns aimed at restricting or banning the commercial use of gillnets. In response, commercial fishermen claim that conservationists' arguments simply cloud the real issue-resource allocation. Commercial fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico maintain that fish stocks such as mullet, red drum, and sea trout are healthy,6 and that the nets are highly selective. Commercial fishermen maintain that the gillnet issue does not address conservation, but rather is an attempt to allocate more resources to recreational fishermen. Some scientists agree, noting that if fish stocks are in trouble, all forms of fishing (including recreational fishing) should be restricted to protect the resource. The goal hoped to be achieved by net restrictions will have little effect if recreational fishermen simply catch the fish that commercial fishermen are forced to leave behind per gillnet legislation. Scientific evidence proves inconclusive in this debate. This is due to the inherent trouble in accurately measuring fish populations and identifying causes attributed to their decline. This article examines the varying positions of the stakeholders involved in the controversy over gillnets in the state waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Elements fueling the debate include reliability of scientific evidence and fishery data, economic perspectives, and political agendas. Part II sets out the background of the debate, discusses environmental concerns in fisheries management, and summarizes the issue of resource allocation. Part III examines gillnet regulations in each state bordering the Gulf of Mexico and the effects of each state's actions. Finally, Part IV offers suggestions for states to consider when regulating commercial and recreational fishing.
Recommended Citation
John Alton Duff,
The Law, Policy, and Politics of Gillnet Restrictions in State Waters of the Gulf of Mexico,
9
St. Thomas L. Rev.
389
(1997).
Available at:
https://scholarship.stu.edu/stlr/vol9/iss2/6