NOAA invests $2M to protect Gulf of Mexico's red snapper

On October 16, 2024, NOAA announced a $2 million investment aimed at enhancing the protection of red snapper populations in the Gulf of Mexico. This funding, derived from the Inflation Reduction Act, will be allocated to fisheries partnerships focused on data collection and modeling to address climate change impacts. NOAA is collaborating with the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies at the University of Miami to implement these initiatives. The Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission will receive $1 million to deploy at-sea samplers in Louisiana and Texas, thereby expanding the coverage of data collection programs in the region. Meanwhile, the Cooperative Institute will utilize the other $1 million to develop advanced surveys using acoustic technology, which will improve the detection and abundance estimates of red snapper. This investment is part of a broader effort initiated in 2023 to tackle the effects of climate change on reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico. By enhancing data collection and management strategies, NOAA aims to bolster the resilience of red snapper populations and ensure sustainable fisheries management in coastal areas. The initiative underscores the importance of scientific partnerships in adapting to climate challenges and improving the reliability of fisheries data, ultimately supporting better management decisions for the future.