Gator McKlusky

http://www.wtsp.com/story/news/inves...ncil/27122895/

Do red snapper rules cheat recreational anglers?

Mike Deeson, WTSP 11:55 p.m. EDT May 11, 2015

Some recreational fishermen are upset charter boats get several more weeks to catch red snapper.(Photo: WTSP)



Clearwater, Florida -- Love to fish? Lots of Floridians like to spend their day on the water or hanging out on the pier hoping to catch the biggest and the best.
Well, some of that may soon be taken away from you.
Government regulators are trying to limit how long you can fish for red snapper, and giving more time to commercial businesses, leading some to fear this is just the beginning of regulations.
It's one of the most popular fish in Florida, the fishing capital of the world, but there is a new catch from the federal government regarding recreational fisherman and red snapper.



Some say red snapper rules are unfair



Dennis O'Hern the executive director of the Fishing Rights Alliance says, "We're getting robbed, so where the hell is the sheriff?"
O'Hern is upset that a government agency, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, is allowing recreational fisherman to catch red snapper 10 days and commercial charter boats are allowed a month and a half -- 44 days.
A frustrated O'Hern says, "I fought this tooth and nail for almost 8 years now. For eight years I've been banging my head."

Charter boat Captain Chad Haggert admits, "There is not one set or rules that will be good for all fishermen."
Haggert, who charges $82 for a day trip on his Double Eagle Charters, says his business gives fishermen and particularly tourists who come here a chance to catch more red snapper. Haggert thinks the division between recreational anglers and Charter Boats is fair, but admits, "What might work good for my industry might not be what would work for the private fisherman."

But here's where this fish story starts to smell. Three members of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, the group that voted to limit recreational fishermen, are on the board of directors of an organization that lobbies for charter boats. However, before the vote, the three didn't disclose the conflict of interest.

The regional administrator for the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association, Roy Crabtree, admits, "They should have disclosed it." However, Crabtree says, "That situation has been rectified in their disclosure now."
However, the federal law governing this governmental agency says, "Those with a conflict must disclose that conflict and shall not vote on issues that would affect their organization."

Crabtree, who is also a voting member of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, defends the three saying, "They have updated their disclosures now."
When 10 News pointed out the disclosure was after the vote and asked Crabtree who favors the restriction if that causes problem he said, "Not in my mind."
But recreational fishermen aren't buying that hook line and sinker, because the vote to favor the charter and party votes was 10 to 7 with the three members who didn't reveal their conflict being the deciding votes.
Attorney Craig Berman, an avid fisherman, says," You should be outraged as a taxpayer."

Berman is in the process of filing a lawsuit to have the vote overturned. The members of the five Gulf states -- Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and Florida -- appointed to serve on the council are against the plan to favor charter boats. And Gulf Council members on the losing side of the vote say, in a report, it is poor policy and a bad law.
Berman contends, "They are doing it all to aid a very small sector of boats that hope to make huge profits off this."

And while charter boats are in line to make a big haul of fish and money, everyone else, either gets 10 days or has to pay a pretty penny.
O'Hern says "That ain't America, that ain't what I was born with and quite frankly I will fight that till my dying breath."
Recreational fisherman say their biggest fear about this snapper rule, is that it will soon move to other types of fish. Meantime, Rep. David Jolly is aware of the issue and says he's looking into it.

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Only two things in the world I'm scared of...
Women and the police.

Mr. Mike

It is not rocket science to understand which group of fishermen contributes substantial employment opportunities to, local businesses, city, county and state. Not to mention financial gains such as city, state and county tax income financial support.

Good example, West Marine has closed four stores and open a new store on davis hwy. I live on perdido bay, and now if I need something from west marine, it is a 60 mile round trip or order online and wait a week for something I needed yesterday.

Once upon a time in my younger days trigger fish a real nuisance. Last year 6-8 lb trigger were not unusual. Now if they don't tear up your tackle (they do bite leaders in half and straighten hooks) you can't even put one in the frying pan.

sounds to me like the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council are in bed with the federal flood management insurance companies. but my claim was resolved -- only $80,000 short of actual damage repair.

At least the 8th ins adjuster sent me a letter telling me how much he enjoyed doing business with me. OK?

Reckon I will just convert my Grady to a pussy boat and troll at the boardwalk on Pensacola beach and get drunk alone with other X-fishermen.

Guess I ain't smart enough to not complain or preach to the choir or figure a darn thing out.

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Grady White 200 ETEC

Gator McKlusky

pickled skip jack may still be a fishing and dining option...

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Only two things in the world I'm scared of...
Women and the police.

Mr. Mike

my crew have already decided to learn how to eat and like stuff like stingrays, remora, cigar minnows, hardhead catfish, skipjack etc.

last year we had some ruby red lips in the live well. it took some talking to convince
an AL. marine officer that TOMTATEs are not out of season and are not a part of the reef fish management plan. Apparently he had never seen one but he eventually did let us keep them and did not issue a citation for ignorance of the law (stupidity.)
Reckon he was doing the best he could that day. probably listened to a bitching woman most of the night. I understand.

we gonna pretend those tomtates are salt water bream. yum yum

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Grady White 200 ETEC

T-total

They are actually pretty good but don't hold a candle to a sea perch.

tkramerv

Thanks for the info, Gator. Unbelievable. If the situation was reversed you bet Crabtree wouldnt be satisfied with a "post victory" full disclosure. It all stinks.

Legalize it!

My Thoughts

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AndyS

Well, it's pretty dang obvious to me you are one of those gol-danged liberals who don't care about government helping small businesses, job creation, free-enterprise, or the health of our economy.

Maybe you oughta go back to California, New York City, or whatever socialistic liberal utopia you come from?





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If you need music on the beach, you're missing the point.


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Gator McKlusky

For Immediate Release
Mary Jane Williamson, Communications Director
703-519-9691, x227
www.asafishing.org / www.keepamericafishing.org
New Report Demonstrates Potential Economic Gains from Reallocations

Recreational landings produce greater economic returns than commercial landings
Alexandria, Va. – May 12, 2015 – A report released today further demonstrates the importance of reviewing how the nation’s marine fisheries are allocated between the recreational and commercial sectors.
The report, “The Economic Gains from Reallocating Specific Saltwater Fisheries,” produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) and Southwick Associates, was introduced at the American Boating Congress, an annual legislative conference co-hosted by organizations from all segments of the boating and fishing industries. This annual event brings hundreds of leaders to Washington D.C. to formulate public policy and present a unified front on issues that impact marine businesses.
The report uses economic contributions estimates and the few fisheries valuation studies available in three mixed sector fisheries to examine the potential gains to be made by increasing the recreational allocation for specific species.
Some of the key findings include:

• Summer Flounder in the Mid-Atlantic: Recreational angler spending supported up to 25,450 jobs in 2011, compared to up to 4,665 jobs supported by commercial production.
• Red Snapper in the Gulf of Mexico: Recreational fishing for red snapper contributes approximately four times more to the nation’s gross domestic product than commercial harvests.
• Pacific Halibut from California to Washington: Recreational fishing for halibut provides nearly five times more jobs per pound harvested when compared to commercial harvests.

“This report demonstrates how allocating larger shares of specific fisheries to the recreational sector can increase economic activity to the overall benefit to the nation,” said Scott Gudes, ASA’s vice president for Government Affairs. “This isn’t meant to be a comprehensive analysis into these fisheries, but rather an examination based on available data. Further studies are needed, but these preliminary results are very compelling and demand at least a discussion on how our nation’s fisheries should be allocated.”
Despite the tremendous importance that allocation decisions have in maximizing the benefits that our fisheries provide to the nation, federal fisheries managers have not revisited allocations – most of which were determined decades ago – primarily because of a lack of clear guidance on how decisions should be made and because these decisions are inherently difficult.
On April 30, during the House of Representatives markup hearing on a bill sponsored by Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), H.R. 1335, to reauthorize the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, an important amendment was offered by Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.) that would require the development of guidelines for consideration in allocation decisions and a periodic review of allocations in fisheries in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.
“This report further reinforces the importance of Congressman Duncan’s amendment, which will provide a science-based path forward for examination of allocations,” said Mike Leonard, ASA’s Ocean Resource Policy director. “ASA is grateful for Congressman Duncan’s leadership on behalf of the nation’s 11 million saltwater anglers and the 450,000 jobs they support.”
“Obviously there are many factors that need to be considered when determining allocations, and economic value is one of those key factors,” continued Leonard. “It is our hope that this report helps facilitate discussion and examination into the factors that need to go into these important decisions.”
The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association committed to representing the interests of the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry a unified voice, speaking out on behalf of sportfishing and boating industries, state and federal natural resource agencies, conservation organizations, angler advocacy groups and outdoor journalists when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. ASA invests in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous, as well as safeguard and promote the enduring social, economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. ASA also gives America's 60 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to sustainably fish on our nation's waterways through KeepAmericaFishing™, our angler advocacy campaign. America’s anglers generate over $48 billion in retail sales with a $115 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for more than 828,000 people.

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Only two things in the world I'm scared of...
Women and the police.