The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, comprised of representatives from every Gulf state along with stakeholders representing fishery interests across the region, is the governing body for federally managed fishes and invertebrates in the Gulf. In 2024, the council formed a working group focused on engaging recreational angler interest to generate novel solutions for problems related to estimating recreational fishing effort and fishery discards (e.g. release of nontarget or allowable catch). Dr. Jeffrey Plumlee, of RNR, was invited to participate in three workshops as a representative for Louisiana to provide insight and perspective on data collection in Louisiana and the preferences of anglers. To learn more, visit the council’s Recreational Initiative website at February 2025 Recreational Initiative Working Group Meeting | Gulf Council.

Dr. Plumlee with a scamp grouper caught offshore of Louisiana