Gulf Coast eyes tourism boost from fall fishing
Jay Reeves, The Associated Press Published: Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at 11:45 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at 11:45 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at 11:45 a.m.
ORANGE BEACH (AP) — The tourism industry along the northern Gulf Coast has a new bet for surviving the winter: Red snapper.
The federal government has approved an unusual autumn fishing season for the popular fish, which is a favorite prey for anglers who missed nearly an entire summer of saltwater fishing because of the BP oil spill.
In coastal areas hardest-hit by the oil, like Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, the special season is more about tourism dollars than seafood.
Tackle shops, restaurants, hotels and stores that suffered steep declines in revenue are hoping for big revenue boosts from snapper fishing this fall. Alabama tourism director Lee Sentell says tourism is down 10 percent statewide this year, mostly because of a drop in visitors along the coast.
In coastal areas hardest-hit by the oil, like Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi, the special season is more about tourism dollars than seafood.
Tackle shops, restaurants, hotels and stores that suffered steep declines in revenue are hoping for big revenue boosts from snapper fishing this fall. Alabama tourism director Lee Sentell says tourism is down 10 percent statewide this year, mostly because of a drop in visitors along the coast.
No comments:
Post a Comment