LDWF’s red snapper stance a big step back

Change is inevitable when new administrations come into power. So it’s no surprise that Charlie Melancon, appointed head of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries by Gov. John Bel Edwards, is doing things differently than his predecessor.

Some changes are positive. For instance, we have been assured the agency’s fisheries biologists are again accessible for interviews, overturning the largely closed-door policy implemented by former Secretary Robert Barham. That’s a great move for the news media and the public the LDWF serves.

But some changes are real head-scratchers — like announcing opposition to Congressman Garret Graves’ legislation that would give red snapper management to the Gulf states. It’s especially puzzling since his boss, Gov. Edwards, is on record as strongly supporting state management.

Melancon initially estimated the lack of federal funding in Graves’ bill would stick Louisiana with a roughly $10 million bill, and his staff subsequently came up with an estimate for the first year that amazingly hit that number almost exactly.

Is the LDWF estimate accurate, or were numbers tweaked to meet Melancon’s initial statements? Thus far few details about what is included in that total have been released, so it’s impossible to make an objective judgement.

What we do know is that Texas, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida have doubled down their commitment to state management— with or without federal funding.

But the Melancon administration went even further, saying LDWF administrators now believe the best route forward is taking a major step back and working through the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.

That is, at best, naive. Such a statement illustrates a distinct lack of understanding about why the Gulf states — including Louisiana for the past several years — have demanded management be turned over to them.

No one, with the possible exception of National Marine Fisheries Service officials, who have a lot of skin in the game, disputes that federal management of red snapper is a disaster. There are undoubtedly more snapper in the Gulf than ever, but anglers continue to be held to paltry limits and ridiculously short federal seasons.

And the council has proved powerless, with federal authorities simply overriding every council decision that doesn’t align with the contention that red snapper are on the verge of collapse.

So why in the world does the Melancon administration believe the results will be different now?

Going back to the failed processes of the past is a disservice to the constituents Melancon and his administration purport to serve.

Hopefully, Gov. Edwards will take steps to bring the agency in line with his campaign promises.

About Andy Crawford 863 Articles
Andy Crawford has spent nearly his entire career writing about and photographing Louisiana’s hunting and fishing community. While he has written for national publications, even spending four years as a senior writer for B.A.S.S., Crawford never strayed far from the pages of Louisiana Sportsman. Learn more about his work at www.AndyCrawford.Photography.