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Whoever likes to catch and keep a couple grouper need to go to (google) "Fishing rights alliance". We need to try and fight this four month closure. If passed it will take affect Jan 09. They are also trying to get a snapper closure passed. Everybody can read about it on the site. This group got some things overturned in the gulf. Just google it. We need to do all we can to make sure this doesn't happen. The council is taking written or email comments through the 16th of May. Email comments to SGAmend16@safmc.net. Thanks for the help!!
why do you need to do everything you can to make sure this doesnt happen? In all reality, what would it really hurt for a bill to be passed to try and reinvigorate the grouper and snapper populations?
downtotheriver - 5/11/2008 7:07 PM
why do you need to do everything you can to make sure this doesnt happen? In all reality, what would it really hurt for a bill to be passed to try and reinvigorate the grouper and snapper populations?
The problem is that the regional councils under the National Marine Fisheries Service is not using any scientific data to back up their claims that ground fish populations; i.e. grouper and snapper are in trouble. Here in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) the Gulf Council (GC) has put in draconian restrictions on Red Grouper and Red Snapper that counter all scientific and emperical data.
When they're questioned about this, they refuse to answer. The Fishing Rights Alliance (FRA) sued them in federal court a year ago and won. We hired our own scientist who reviewed the GC's OWN DATA and showed them where they were wrong! They are now backing off from the measures they had planned on implementing this summer in the GOM -- becasue we were ready to sue them again!
The South Atlantic Council has a similar agenda. If the guys from SC to FL don't get their act together -- they'll be in trouble.
If the NMFS and their regional councils show using scientific data that grouper and snapper, or any other fish, are in trouble and they need to restrict the harvest -- I'm all for that. But DON'T think for an instant that I'm going to sit by while Dr. Crabtree -- yes, that's his name; refuses to answer questions, does vodoo calcuations, and cuts the bottom fish season length and limits; you are wrong.
fair enough
i know relatively nothing about the topic or the area, but i just didnt want to see this devolve into another "if i wanna kill fish, let me kill em till they are gone" thread
I went to the meeting in Coco and they couldn't answer any of the questions that were brought up. They don't have hard science, its all a big guessing game. They had charts that show fish catches from 1945 to 2006. I don't remember any records being kept until sometime in the 80's. That alone shows that they are wrong on their science. 90% of the documented fish catches are taken from commercial boats. The amount of commercial boats now compared to the 70's and 80's has decreased significantly. They don't even mention this part of the equasion. The science doesn't add up. I have to say that what they have done with the size and bag limits have brought these fish stocks back. Nothing more needs to be done. Pass this info to other forums, spead the word. Thanks for your input Prop blast, hopefully we can stop this like you guys on the West coast did. Good job!
I've tried to email to address that I gave above but its not recognized. Its right off the paper from the SAFMC.
If you weren't able to attend one of the SAMFC public comment meetings on the upcoming Grouper and Snapper regulations, you may submit them electronically. I have created a form to electronically enter your comments on the upcoming Amendment 16-Grouper, and Amendment 18-Red Snapper actions that the SAMFC are considering. The comments will be emailed directly to the appropriate parties, along with some of our politicians.
Folks, this is not a drill, they are talking some pretty significant season closures, possible complete closure of the Red Snapper fishery, and cutting bag limits in 1/2 or more. You only have till 5PM Friday to enter these.
I live in west central FL. and have not been bothered (too much) by the most recent reef species closures. Most recently the Gulf Council has closed our ARS season on August 5. We only get to harvest these guys a little over 2 months out of the year. Of course we currently have a 1 month closure on Gag, black, and red Grouper from mid Feb. to mid March. The Atlantic side also sees longer snook seasons. I just find other species to target during these closed seasons. I'm not saying whats fair for the Atlantic is fair for the Gulf. Its just something that takes a little getting used to. I think alot of these rules are influenced by the animal rights activists.
Sounds like shades of SSFFF (Save our Summer Flounder Fishery Fund ) here in the Northeast. Flawed science, the use of NMFS new word "Overfishing," and closures. It's not a matter of saving a fishery, here in the northeast flounder are at their highest levels ever-but because of an inflexible Magnuson/Stevenson Act, NMFS can shut down the fishery. The enviros are enjoying this and the supporters to the closures are helping and they don't even realize it.
Spearnreel,
Not animal rights nuts but multi billion dollar "foundations" with hundreds of millions to spend to eventually totally close the oceans to fishing - and they are very serious players with an interconnected network that should scare the krap out of you.
They love it when people roll over and say it "just takes a little getting used to" because little by little they are winning and you and the rest of us will be the big losers.
I am on another board and we discussed this...it is very difficult to fight this without someone like CCA helping out and has an organized effort with financial backing.....I do not think the CCA GA chapter was at out meeting and I do not know if they are trying to help...do any of you know if CCA is getting involved? If not, I will not be renewing my dues.
SE Atlantic grouper closure
