Alabama red snapper fishermen say they’re feeling caught between state and federal regulators.
New numbers from Washington for the amount of snapper caught this year differs from the total from the state. The Federal Marine Recreational Information Program says Alabama anglers caught just over two million pounds of red snapper. Alabama regulators put that number at just over a million pounds.
Captain Shane Cantrell is the executive director of the Charter Fisherman’s Association. He questions why a new regulatory board at the state level may be formed to take over the counting next year.
“It’s just so frustrating to be able to try and make a living on the water and provide a service to the American public when people that are sitting on a council supposed to be representing the fisherman from their state just take it upon themselves to push a private agenda.”
Captain Cantrell says state control is pushing charter and commercial fishermen out of business. He is concerned that people in the new council are keeping real solutions from being found.
Republican Presidential candidate Jeb Bush is calling an audible. He will not attend this weekend’s Alabama football game in Tuscaloosa this Saturday.
Officials with Alabama Secretary of State’s office confirms Bush will not attend the game even though it was on his schedule of SEC game day visits called “SEC Tailgating with Jeb.”
Alabama has become a proving ground lately as part of the SEC Primaries, where several southern states will host their primaries in March to gain an advantage on choosing the next president.
Ohio Governor John Kasich will visit the state tomorrow, with a rally schedules at Wintzell’s Oyster House in Mobile.
Number seven Alabama is back on the practice field as they get ready to host Number four L-S-U on Saturday. Both the Crimson Tide and the Tigers were off last week to get ready for the classic S-E-C West showdown.
Coach Nick Saban says his team took advantage of the bye week to work on a few things in practice and heal up some nagging injuries…
“But now it’s time to sort of refocus on the task at hand. The players have had a few days off and I think the goal is, is for us to play our best football of the year and, you know to do that, each individual on the team, you know needs to play their best.”
Kickoff at Bryant-Denny Stadium is set for seven p-m on CBS. In addition to the game, ESPN’s College Gameday will be in Tuscaloosa this weekend.