'New idea for red snapper'

[harbison]

   We have been asked forward to NOAA our comments on the CFA backed 'New idea for red snapper.'
 
My letter to NOAA:
 
 
Dear NOAA:
New idea for red snapper
A group of head boat captains, backed by the Charter Boat Fisherman's Association (CFA), have come up with a 'New idea for red snapper!' A plan to allow them to fish for red snapper all year long. It appears that head boats who do not support EDF's catch share program, such as the boats of one of the oldest most respected in the industry, Hubbard's Marina, will be left out of this plan.
Gulf Council meeting, Gulf Port Mississippi, direct from the desk of Captain Buddy Bradham, MotherOcean Charters:
"I wish I had some good news but we need to help stop a plan that is going to hurt Hubbard's in the long term. A group of headboat capts that belong to the Charterboat Fisherman's Assoc. came up with a plan to get a permit from the NMFS to be able to fish anytime of the year for red snapper. Capt. Mark was invited to the planning meeting and told them that the plan sounded a lot like catch shares that he is against but make sure his boats was included. Capt Mark's boats were left out of the plan. The pilot plan called for 20 boats to take part in it and only 9 are signed up so why was Hubbard's left out. I learned today from Gulf Council member Pam Dana that a headboat in Destin was treated the same as Capt.Mark. If this plan goes forward it may be used to set the number of catch shares a headboat gets so Capt mark may get less. This was passed in the Gulf Council last August and slipped by us. Now all we can do is make comments to the NMFS and hope Crabtree will not sign off on it." Captain Buddy Bradham
The American red snapper belong to the American people. The CFA backed, 'New idea for red snapper' rewards the few at the expense of the many. Bob Harbison

[harbison]

   The following has been sent to the Gulf Council, Pam Dana - Recreational representative voting member on the Council, Roy Crabtree - Regional Administrator NOAA Fisheries Service, Russell Dunn - NOAA public relations. Captain Buddy Bradham - MotherOcean Charters:

Subj: CFA's 'New idea for red snapper!

This, posted by '3BARKINGSPIDERS', Pensacola Fishing Forum, sums up Charterboat Fisherman's Association (CFA) idea of "New idea for red snapper!" A twelve month season for the PRIVELEGED few.
" Seems the American red snapper will still not belong to all Americans. There have always been them that have. Them that don't and them that never will. Usually dictated or manipulated through politics and not common sense." (Politics & greed!)
Captain Tom Hilton: "The Council supposedly tabled any discussion on sector separation until after the benchmark assessment came out. BUT here they are, discussing an issue that REQUIRES SECTOR SEPARATION. What an absolute crock." Captain Tom Hilton
CFA's idea of 'New idea for red snapper,' fishing for the PRIVELEGED few at the expense of the majority.
The average off-shore boat cost many thousands of dollars to buy, upkeep, and operate. Under CFA's 'New idea for red snapper' this very expensive investment sets idle while the 'PRIVELEGED' few head boats who support shares/separation are rewarded with a twelve month American red snapper season. For the good of the vast majority of the American sportsmen this, 'New idea for red snapper' must be stopped before it starts.
Bob Harbison Native Florida Sportsman