Gulf Spill Recreational Fishing Response Group: Recommendations for Resource Recovery

Recreational fishing is a multi-billion dollar industry in the Gulf of Mexico, and like many other user groups, recreational fishermen are concerned about the long-term health and recovery of the Gulf of Mexico's precious natural resources following last year's Deepwater Horizon oil spill. I was recently forwarded an email with a very interesting report that highlights recommendations made by a coalition of  recreational sport fishing groups on Gulf resource recovery efforts. I've included an excerpt from the report's introduction, but recommend you check out the entire document at the link below.

"The Gulf Spill Recreational Fishing Response Group (GSRFRG) was formed in January 2011 to compile ideas and recommendations directly from the sportfishing community in the Gulf of Mexico region regarding responses to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. This report from the Response Group reflects input gathered directly from saltwater recreational angling interests in the region as well as from experts including academics and state and federal officials associated with recreational fisheries management in the region. (A list of participants is in the Appendix.) The GSRFRG’s report outlines the consensus priorities for investments participants believe should be made to restore the quantity and quality of recreational fishing opportunities in the Gulf of Mexico that existed before the spill. Mindful of goals that have been set by Gulf State governors, members of Congress and the president to go even further with ecosystem restoration (to baselines that existed long before the spill) the Response Group offers ways to manage and improve Gulf marine resources that transcend near-term restoration to offer longer-term systemic improvements.  Through the support of The Walton Family Foundation, the GSRFRG was facilitated by the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP). This report was drafted based primarily on stakeholder meetings in the Gulf region but also from input gathered outside of these meetings. Between the regional meetings and the additional input (e.g., contributions from individual anglers, recreational fishing organizations, sportfishing business representatives, academic experts, and state and federal resource managers) multiple perspectives were captured...."
To view the entire report, go to:
Gulf Spill Recreational Fishing Response Group: Recommendations for Resource Recovery