On March 9, 2013, the Fishing Rights Alliance (FRA) sponsored it's annual BLAST at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays. It was truly an 'event for the ages'. The FRA fights to keep us, all of us, on the water. The FRA advocates the sustainable use of and access to marine fisheries by promoting reasonable, effective fisheries management policies through stakeholder activism and interaction with the scientific community and regulatory agencies. Simply put...the stronger the FRA, the stronger we are. We the fishermen/women of this great land are being heard. Our representatives are challenging NOAA & the Gulf Council on a very regular basis. Fighting for us are, among many others, our own Representatives Mister Steve Southerlan, 2'nd district, Mister Marco Rubio, 11'th district, And Congressman Gus Bilirakis district 12. Congressman Bilirakis is becoming a particularly strong fighter on the side of the fisherman. Mister Bilirakis' representative, Ms. Elizabeth Hittos, attends NOAA's Gulf Council Meetings. When, at a Gulf Council Meeting, Ms. Hitton challenged NOAA's, after being directed by Congress not to do so, continued funding of the catch share program. The Council had absolutely NO answer for her pointed question. Ms. Hittos attended the FRA BLAST. Her comments on NOAA will be of great interest to all who care about the direction our fishery is taking. Hear her speech, and take part in the action packed shoot-um-up video at the end of this report.
Mister Dennis O'Hern introduces Ms. Elizabeth Hittos:
Denny's daughter, Ms. Lindsey O'Hern, works in Washington DC. She has access to the offices of our representatives. She hand delivers the messages we send to the FRA direct where they will do he most good. Lindsey says our reps. get thousands of messages each and every day. Most never reach their desks. Her's does! She emphasized how important it is to keep the messages flowing. We are being heard.
Ms. Lindsey O'Hern (R)
Denny is ready to BLAST some birds:
Our own, Captain Buddy Bradham, MotherOcean, is ready for action:
Captain Buddy is joined by long time friend, and fishing expert, Captain Jody Pack, and my daughter, Dee. Dee is the official score keeper for team Buddy. Captain Pack was associated with Packs Landings, South Carolina, for many years. He is a most interesting gentleman who really knows his fishing. He supports our sport. Captain Pack now resides in beautiful Homosassa Springs, Florida. His in-shore & scalloping trips are pure excitement. Please encourage Captain Pack to 'keep up the fight' for all of us by letting him know just how much we appreciate his efforts. Captain Pack can be reached at:
JPack111@gmail.com Together we will win this battle.
Team Hubbard (L) Ms. Emily Methfessel, Mister Dylan Hubbard, Captain Mark Hubbard, and Mrs. Jenny Hubbard:
This is going to be a real BLAST:
Get um Captain Buddy:
Captain Pack proves that he is as good at BLASTING birds as he is at fishing:
Wow! A real duck boat:
Team Hubbard shows how it's done. Dylan, hit that bird:
Captain Mark Hubbard is a real expert. That bird does not have a chance:
Team Aylesworth gets the job done:
Time to eat. Now this is serious. Sonny's BBQ provides a feast fit for a king:
Hungry Dylan?
. Captain Buddy, Missy Bradham, enjoys a good old Southern BBQ:
Trophy time:
Boy! Can those young people ever shoot:
So many winners! So much support for our great sport. Even the ladies are real winners:
Talk about a real winner. Many top of the line weapons were won:
Captain Mark Hubbard won a trophy fish. Hope he displays it at the Marina:
Missy is really proud of her Plant City Driscoll's strawberries. Talk about the best of the best:
The very strong show of support for the FRA BLAST, the 'event for the ages' proves that we the people are fed up with 'NOAA LAW'. This very strong message has been, and will continue to be sent: 'We have had enough and are simply not going to take it any more. Please let Congressman Gus Bilirakis know how much we appreciate the works of Ms. Elizabeth Hittos. Give Ms. Lindsey O'Hern enough ammunition to flood the offices of our representatives. Let them know what we expect out of those we have elected to represent us. Join the FRA; the stronger the FRA, the stronger we are. The FRA fights 24/7 for our fishing rights and the future of fishing.
Set back and enjoy all the action, listen to Congressman Bilirakis' representative, Ms. Elizabeth Hittos, discuss NOAA & the catch shares program: (Click on the link)
Bob, Florida Outdoor Writers Association, and daughter Dee Harbison
