Our Efforts in Conservation
I want to take a little time out to thank each and everyone one of our anglers, local and from afar "locals at heart," for honoring creel regulations and promoting conservation of the many wonderful species we have in the Gulf.
It has been many years, but almost seems like yesterday to many of us, that our redfish populations severely plummeted (some of you could probably find and link old articles). Thankfully, there was a great deal of awareness made, and Redfish were put on restrictions and allowed the oppotunity (with proper management) to come back in great numbers.
They've steadily been on the incline, and are a testament to how quickly a long lived, late spawning species, can be demolished with overfishing. Yes, we still have our poachers, but no spotlight for them today. Now, it is about YOU. Those of you who have told every living, breathing, anxious new and upcoming angler how to ethically manage our fishery in your most subtle of ways.
You, who catch and release or set satellite tags on a fish's fin. You who take time out of your day to educate the common public on proper handling techniques to avoid fish injury. Especially those of you who take ACTION against those who blantantly break the law by notifying the proper authorities without question. Those of you who honor the creel limits, and take the time to lower a net to release and revive a large fish rather than tossing it over the cliff.
We want to being able to pass along the fishing legacy we've all grown up to enjoy to our own offspring. I am proud of our collective efforts and hope they will continue.
Why am I saying all of this? Well, allow me to share some local success we have had recently--and each one of you played a part in its role.
Last few years of our research, we have been noticing an increase in a certain fish fry ball type throughout the shallow regions of our shores--a type of cluster we've not seen in a very long time. The fish fry are in endless numbers, and most are now reaching 8" to 12" in length. What are they?
You guessed it--redfish. Not just good numbers--but astounding numbers! Due to the careful conservation efforts and proper management of our fisheries, Alabama skinny waters just effectively released an innumerable amount of naturally inhabited sub-slot reds into the coastal region as they made their first schooling and movement away from their birthplace.
A random fellow nearby threw a cast net and was barely able pull it in--slap full of redfish. I helped him to quickly release them back and encouraged him to move further down the coast to throw his net--which he thankfully did.
I was able to witness what appeared to be tens of thousands (possibly more) of redfish all 1 foot an under in length make their way out of a bay and into the surf for the first time. Under the moonlight, it was an incredible sight. I stood in about 2 foot of water and they swam right into my legs and boiled around me. It was almost enough to make this grown man cry. What I got to witness was every conservationist's dream come true and put me into a pure bliss.
My mind traveled to one thought: you. All of YOU who made this happen. Redfish are exploding, and each year we practice such ethical practices and techniques, we shall watch the numbers continue to rise.
It is one thing to know and understand they are making a comeback, but it is another thing to witness it directly and stand in awe of God's masterful work.
Once these juvies grow into slot reds within the following years, we will have some great eating sized redfish and wonderful catch and release fun for our upcoming generation of fisher men and women.
With all of the bad news in the media, I felt it was time to share some good news for once.
In other news, a mother Bull Red swam up to me and said with a gurgle, "Thanks to everyone who continually strives to make this happen. We are grateful." As she swam off, she turned and followed up with, "Oh, and if you do decide to keep a motherfish, please target that one with the missing dorsal tip and three spots on the left. My mother-in-l--I mean, that annoying fish, yes, anyways, target her only please. Thanks." Then she quickly swam away into the surf.
Ok, maybe I exaggerated a little bit there, I mean, come on, everyone knows redfish don't have only three spots on the left...
