Congressman Russell Fry from South Carolina’s 7th District has spearheaded an initiative urging the U.S. Department of Commerce to consider a state-led approach for managing the snapper-grouper fishery in the South Atlantic. This effort, backed by Republican members of the South Carolina delegation, seeks to replace federal restrictions with state-managed frameworks.
The lawmakers addressed their concerns to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, criticizing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) reliance on what they described as flawed data from the Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP). They argue that this data has resulted in stringent regulations, such as brief recreational red snapper seasons and widespread bottomfishing closures.
The state’s recreational fishing and boating industry is significant, contributing over $6.5 billion annually and supporting more than 27,000 jobs. Local communities from Murrells Inlet to Hilton Head rely on effective fisheries management for their livelihoods.
In their communication, the legislators requested several actions: halting Amendment 59 and similar federal measures, endorsing a cooperative state-led management system inspired by successful Gulf red snapper programs, and enabling states to gather improved data for balanced management.
Congressman Fry stated, “For too long, federal mismanagement has hurt our coastal communities and undermined trust in the system. South Carolina anglers deserve better than critical decisions based on bad data.” He advocated for a model similar to that used under the first Trump administration in the Gulf.
The letter was endorsed by Senators Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott along with Representatives Sherri Biggs, Nancy Mace, Ralph Norman, William Timmons, and Joe Wilson.
To learn more about Congressman Fry’s initiatives or follow his activities within Congress’s Energy and Commerce Committee and Judiciary Committee, constituents can visit his official social media platforms or website at fry.house.gov.
