| Saltwater fishing regulations vary depending not only | | | | supply, both for commercial and recreational purposes. |
| where you are in your country, but where you are in | | | | There was a time when redfish were so abundant |
| the world. Nations claim a certain number of miles | | | | that sport fishermen would catch as many as they |
| offshore before international waters commence and it | | | | could and sell the excess to local restaurants for a |
| is in these national waters that a country may regulate. | | | | handsome profit, since it makes such a delicious meal. |
| In addition, in the United States, each state may have | | | | Those days are gone now although there is still some |
| its own regulations. | | | | bootlegging and poaching going on. Not only that but |
| For example, in the state of Texas, restrictions may | | | | neighboring Louisiana has much laxer laws and their |
| be enforced from shore to within nine nautical miles | | | | fishermen catch the same fish out of the Gulf and |
| from shore and on any fish that is taken within two | | | | transport them across state lines. |
| hundred nautical miles of Texas shore and brought | | | | Red snapper is just another species whose bag limit |
| onshore into Texas. You should consult your local | | | | has been reeled in in the past couple of years. The |
| regulations to be able to have the information to | | | | problem has been that since red snapper is such a |
| remain compliant. | | | | good table fish that party boats have long gone |
| Saltwater fishing regulations generally restrict both | | | | offshore and used such devices as electric reels to |
| weight and daily bag limitations of the indigenous | | | | net the maximum number of fish. This is not exactly |
| species that are found off its shores. This is regulated | | | | the definition of sportsmanship. It would be better |
| by the sales of saltwater fishing licenses that must be | | | | defined as "personal commercial fishing." |
| renewed on an annual basis. On certain species, the | | | | The end result is that these irresponsible fishing trips |
| limit might be so restricted that an additional stamp | | | | have resulted in such a decimation of the species that |
| must be purchased in addition to the standard license. | | | | they are really in trouble and strict limitations have been |
| What decides the size and bag limit each year? The | | | | imposed. Even so, the numbers have not rebounded |
| authorities for each responsible region conduct periodic | | | | as predicted. Some speculate that things in the food |
| studies of species populations and propagation rates | | | | chain are just too out of balance. This is precisely why |
| and calculate how many fish can be taken in the next | | | | saltwater fishing regulations need to be predictive in |
| season to keep the total fish population in balance. This | | | | nature and not a knee-jerk reaction which always |
| is a very good example not only of conservancy, but | | | | comes after the damage is done. |
| of man controlling nature to ensure an adequate food | | | | |