The assessment, which incorporates data collected through 1997, shows that red porgy, also known in the South Atlantic as pinkies, pink porgies, and silver snappers, are continuing to decline and recruitment and biomass levels have declined to very low levels. I've been fishing off South Carolina for 12 years. Red porgy is a unique species in that it is hermaphroditic, or one that changes sex during the course of its life. The assessment indicated there has been a drop in the proportion of males to females in the last few years, but it is uncertain if that was the reason for the decline. The data also shows that fishermen are catching less red porgy and there has been a significant drop in the average size of the fish, which is an indicator of overfishing.
Red porgy is managed in the snapper grouper fishery management unit.
Two recent amendments to the Snapper Grouper Management Plan aimed at rebuilding several overfished species, including red porgy, went into effect in the last few months. A limited access permitting system was also recently implemented, which reduced the number of commercial vessels in the snapper grouper fishery. These regulations were formulated based upon a Congressional mandate to rebuild overfished stocks in a ten year timeframe. However, further information shows the stock has further declined and the council concluded current regulations will not rebuild the red porgy resource. Dr. Nelson explained that he's not convinced this closure will even prevent red porgy from becoming virtually extinct in the South Atlantic.