South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, along with attorneys general from Florida and Georgia, has sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce urging the transfer of management for the South Atlantic red snapper and other reef fisheries from federal authorities to coastal states.
Attorney General Wilson stated, “For too long, red snapper management has been driven by flawed federal data and bureaucratic red tape. South Carolina knows its waters, its fishermen, and its economy better than any federal agency ever will. It’s time to return management to the states where it belongs. I’m calling on the U.S. Department of Commerce to transition management of the South Atlantic red snapper and other reef fisheries from federal control to the coastal states, which are best equipped to ensure sustainable conservation and responsible access.”
The letter, addressed to Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, argues that state governments are better positioned to manage their natural resources. The attorneys general assert that states can collect more accurate fishery data, tailor conservation strategies, and respond more effectively to local needs. They recommend a phased transition, beginning with state-led Experimental Fishing Permits (EFPs) and emergency regulations to maintain oversight during the change in management.
The letter makes several requests to the Department of Commerce. It asks for the adoption of science-based approaches by using findings from the Great Red Snapper Count (GRSC), which, according to the attorneys general, provides a more accurate assessment of red snapper populations than current federal estimates. The letter also calls for delegating data collection responsibilities to state agencies, noting that these agencies already conduct much of this work and can respond more quickly to local conditions. Finally, it requests that overall management authority be transferred to the states, utilizing tools such as exempted fishing permits and emergency regulations to ensure a smooth transition.
The full letter is available for public review.
