Bass Pro Shops 2500 E. Kearney Street Springfield, MO 65898 417-873-5008 Fax 417-832-8365 April 15, 2015 The Honorable Greg Abbott Governor State of Texas P.O. Box 12428 Austin, Texas 78711 The Honorable Bobby Jindal Governor State of Louisiana State Capitol, 4th Floor Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804 The Honorable Robert Bentley Governor State of Alabama 600 Dexter Avenue Montgomery, Alabama 36130 The Honorable Rick Scott Governor State of Florida 400 S. Monroe St. Tallahassee, Florida 32399 The Honorable Phil Bryant Governor State of Mississippi P.O. Box 139 Jackson, Mississippi 39205 Dear Governors Abbott, Bentley, Bryant, Jindal and Scott: I wish to express my sincere appreciation and support for the recent plan released by each of your marine fisheries departments that describes joint state management of Gulf of Mexico red snapper, which in recent years has experienced decreasing recreational fishing opportunities under federal management. Given the outstanding track record of fisheries conservation that your states have demonstrated over many decades, I am confident that cooperative state management of Gulf red snapper will allow the stock to continue its successful rebuilding progress while allowing for reasonable public access. Bass Pro Shops is dedicated to ensuring the health of our nation’s fish and wildlife resources, as well as the public’s access to our lands and waters. With over thirty current or planned stores in the five Gulf states, Bass Pro Shops is a strong partner with the state fish and wildlife agencies in your states to ensure that our customers have healthy, abundant and accessible fish and wildlife populations to pursue. GOVERNORS ABBOTT, BENTLEY, BRYANT, JINDAL, AND SCOTT PAGE 2 While Gulf red snapper management has proven to be immensely challenging, I am confident that management under your states’ plan will maintain a healthy and robust red snapper fishery while better addressing the needs of the 3 million anglers in the Gulf region. Thank you again for your leadership on this very important issue. Sincerely, John L. Morris Founder/CEO