Can we, the concerned fishermen, help save our sport, our heritage? Unity, knowledge, involvement are essential!
I have never been a commercial fisherman, however, I feel for them. It's a very difficult job with NOAA trying to squeeze every dollar out of them they possibly can. And now, it looks like NOAA wants ALL IFQ's to be purchased by not only the commercial interest, but also the recreational side. The news coming out of the Gulf Council is not good for any fishermen. That is why it is so important for us to be united. Together, recreational & commercial, we are much stronger.
As far as 'old timers' go, even Madeira Beach Seafood, one of the oldest, is all but out of the actual fishing end of the business.
MSA: The original intent of the Magnuson was to include a great deal of input from on the water experience, data from real fisherman. That's gone! Welcome big $$$ into the fishery, welcome Pew. Welcome, under Pew's guidance, the 2006, no flexibility re-write into the MSA. Welcome to the fact that, as was brought out in the 1/7, 1/8, Reef Fish Advisory Committee meeting in Tampa, NOAA is more powerful than the Congress of the United States. Per NOAA, we will proceed with shares/separation regardless of what Congress mandates.
Fighting on our behalf are the Florida based FRA & the New Jersey based RFA. First the FRA:
The FRA is working to inform the public of the situations facing the saltwater fisherman. The FRA televised LIVE the Gulf Council's Reef Fish Advisory Committee, ARS, meeting in Tampa, Florida, 1/7/13 & 1/8/13.
NMFS says 'privilege', FRA and Florida say fishing is a RIGHT.
Our own FRA is working for the fisherman, for all of us.The FRA areas of concern, our areas of concern:
1. Magnuson Stevens violations on time limits to repair recreational data.
2. Unnecessary Gag Grouper closure
3. Unnecessary Red Snapper closure
4. Use of fatally flawed data for stock assessments
5. Use of fatally flawed data for management decisions
6. ACL (Annual Catch Limits) development
7. Development of new recreational data collection system management
8. Stock assessment 'models' ignoring standard benchmarks (Catch Per Unit of effort
CPUE, for example).
9. Unnecessary denial of the OPPORTUNITY to fish
10. ANTI-FISHING groups and efforts
Support the FRA, support the fisherman. Attend the FRA's 'BLAST' March 9. Have fun while supporting fishing. Help keep us on the water!
And now the RFA
Mister Jim Hutchinson:
"RFA national is working on fixing the problem in Congress where the issue starts - we need to reform the federal law (Magnuson Stevens Act) because this takeover is occurring at every advisory meeting, every council and commission hearing, every state resource committee across the country - there were individual RFA members at the meeting ( In Tampa) to speak their case, and I (Jim Hutchinson) was also in contact with one of our RFA chapter chairs yesterday regarding this nonsensial attack on our rights.
But remember, first and foremost the RFA is a national organization looking to fix this main problem at the Congressional level - we are working with key members of the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate to help reform the Magnuson to give the councils and commissioners more flexibility to allow a red snapper (gag grouper, black sea bass, tilefish, porgy, summer flounder, cod, haddock, insert saltwater species here) season to be sensibly administered. To change the direction of our fisheries before 2017 is going to take an Act of Congress - that's where RFA is MOST active right now. At each of these state and local meetings. the debate over table scraps continues on every coast - we're (RFA) working to make sure there's more food on the table to begin with!"
Kahuna, a very involved forum member notes: "Fuel, labor for bait, maint., equip, equip maint, mate cost, days labor, mooring or trans if you tow to ramp, there is no room for an IFQ cost to be added to a full day offshore rate even if it was offered." Nothing could more to the point! Absolutely nothing could be more true.
Kahuna consider: "Council disbanned and state waters extended with each state in control." I am all for more state control; however, I am not sure disbanding the Gulf Council & extending sate waters is the answer. Look at what Texas is now doing with ARS within their state waters: Possession limit 4, no closed season. Just imagine what Texas would do if they had even more control. We all are paying the price. Louisiana is threatening to also go non-compliant in State waters. Crabtree has already hinted that if they do, our season would be shortened even more. If, contrary to actual on the water experiences from all five gulf states, the American red snapper is in such terrible shape that, at best, we can have only a 27 day season, why not go ahead and close it down all together. With a much shorter season every year, that's what we are headed towards anyway.
We live under a 'Republic' form of Government. That means we elect those whom we wish to represent we the people. It's time, past time, we let our elected representatives know why we elected them, and what we demand out of them. Call, write, your senator, congressman. Dr. Pam Dana, pamdana@yahoo.com, is the representative of the recreational fisherman on the Gulf Council. Let her know how we feel. Pam owns two charter boats in Deston, she knows very well what is actually out there. Let Governor Scott know. Lubchenco, head of NOAA is stepping down. Obama will appoint her replacement. Public pressure, and pressure from Congress, can have a big impact on his decision. Notify your Congressman, Senator what you expect.
'PropBlast' another informed forum contributor stresses:
"Whoever he nominates will have to get through the U.S. Senate's Commerce Committee. Both of Florida's U.S. Senators, Sen Bill Nelson and Sen Marco Rubio are on the committee, as well as the Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard.
http://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/index.cfmhttp://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contactWe need to let them know our position on this critical government post affecting Florida.".
Contact the white house: Search 'White house' You will find a very simple form to fill out containing room for your message. Let Obama know that he was re-elected to work in the best interest of the American people. Appoint someone who will represent what is best for the fisherman, and fish, not the special interest, big $$$, groups.
We, all saltwater fishermen, need a governing body working with all five gulf states. What is best for the majority? We need a Gulf Council! However, we need a Council that will actually represent our best interest. Completely disband the Gulf Council & give complete control to the states. That could, and probably would, be very detrimental to the longevity of not only ARS, but grouper also. Re-staff the Gulf Council could be the better solution. Appoint those who actually care more about fisherman & fish than the almighty $$$.
Can we, the concerned fishermen, help save our sport, our heritage? Unity, knowledge, and involvement are absolutely essential!. Together, recreational & commercial, we are much stronger. United we can control, divided we will be controlled. Learn the facts for yourself, knowledge is power! Listen to what the FRA & RFA are telling us. Don't automatically buy into what NOAA, EDF, and Pew is selling. Get involved, demand to be heard. Don't be distracted by those who will attempt to distract you, stay focused.
Can we, the concerned fishermen, help save our sport, our heritage? You had better believe it!
Bob Harbison...a concerned Native Florida Sportsman
