New red snapper rules mandate venting tool

The red snapper season in federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico opens June 1, and there are some important regulatory changes involving the pursuit of these deep-water fish.

The DESCEND Act, signed by President Trump, became effective on Jan. 13 as a new section to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

It requires commercial and recreational anglers to possess a venting tool or descending device that is rigged and ready for use when fishing for reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico Exclusive Economic Zone, which starts nine miles off the Texas coast.

The DESCEND Act defines both venting tools and descending devices. This action clarifies the statutory definitions for these devices. More information can be found on the NOAA Fisheries website at www.fisheries.noaa.gov

Fish caught in deep water can suffer from barotrauma — the build-up of gases in their bodies that makes it difficult or impossible for them to swim back down to the depth at which they were hooked.

A fish caught deeper than 30 feet will generally suffer some of these effects, and symptoms include bulging eyes, stomach protruding from the mouth and a bloated midsection.

Basically there are several tools that will satisfy the new requirements.

Commercial fish descenders: There are several practical fish descenders available. For more information, visit www.sheltonproducts.com ($6) or search the Bass Pro website for the SeaQualizer Fish Release Tool ($59).

Home-made descenders: An effective descender can be constructed using an upside-down milk crate rigged with dive weights so it stays open side down as it descends. The crate is dropped over the fish and then lowered to a minimum depth of 60 feet until the fish can swim out on its own.

Venting tools: Another tool to vent a fish involves a sharp needle or steel cannula which is used to puncture a fish’s inflated swim bladder so it can return to deep water. An example is the Ohero Vent For Life device available at Bass Pro ($9.49).

Bag and size limits in federal waters are two fish per person daily with a 16-inch minimum size. In state waters, which are open for red snapper fishing year-round, limits remain unchanged this year at four fish per person per daily with a 15-inch minimum size.

The new rule on using descenders or venting tools aims to reduce mortality of under-sized fish that must be released, as well as improving mortality rates for catch-and-release.