Let's do some math and touch on some civics while we're at it.
First and most important, there is ONLY 100% of the Total allowable catch to split.
51% has already been gifted to the Commercial fishermen. Before the IFQ scheme, there were about 800 commercial fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico earning a living. After the "powers that be" gifted out the individual quotas, the big guys got bigger and the little guys were forced out of business because they couldn't compete. Now, there are only about 400 Commercial boats in the Gulf and they still take 51%.
Ok, now...lets look at the recreational sector's 49% It just got split.
Let's assume they do an even split of the quota so 24.5% for the Charter Industry. Woo Hoo! They're saved! Or, are they? Let's keep doing some math.
24.5% for the For Hire Sector but...oops, first we have to subtract 5.3% that was gifted to 13 men and 17 boats last year.
Now, the remaing approximately 1,200 charter guys have 19.2% to split amongst them.
What?! 13 men get 5.3% and 1,200 have to split 19.2%??? Let the fighting begin inside the CFH sector becasue, if they did even splits to give an equitable share to all the remaining boats that would give them 19.2% divided by 1,200 = .016% for each charter. Yes, you read that right, 1/10th of 1%. Will these newly gifted men and women be able to compete with the gifted 13 men who already enjoy 5.3% of the for hire quota? Somehow, I don't think so.
So how many fish will 1/10 of 1% of 19.2% put in these charter boats? Well, it depends on the 2015 TAC. Don't get too excited all you CFH sector guys! Not even those who are sure they will be the favored ones that will be gifted enough to survive the CFH attrition that is most assuredly coming.
Now, here is something none of these Captains and crews considered. (Atleast not out-loud). By law, the NMFS has to close federal waters once the TAC is reached. The Charter boys and girls who begged for this
forgot that the Gulf Coast States must keep their recreational fishermen on the water or we would see big chains like Bass Pro shop and West Marine go out of business. Oh, and what about all those boat retailers and mechanics that fix the MILLIONS of privately owned boats? The recreational boating industry in Florida is a 10.5 BILLION dollar economic engine. Somehow I doubt the few hundred charter boats and commercial boats contributed much to that industry in the big picture. Now, the states will also have thousands of marina owners suffering if their customers can't fish - whoops, can't forget all the dive shops in our state that cater to spearfishermen or the ice manufacturers that sell ice to millions of us every week or, the insurance companies or, the banks that loan us money so we can throw it in a hole in the water. I could go on ad-nausium but you get the picture. So, ...what will the Gulf states have to do to prevent an economic down turn?
Why, open up State waters for fishing, that's what! They won't be able to afford to cater to a small special interest group at the expense of their state economies. Hmmm, now there is a fly in the soup... What to do? Well, you can bet your sweet batootie the CFH folks will be pressuring the States to abide by Federal Rules but, the states are now in an uncomfortable position where they have to choose between pleasing hundreds of charter operators or pissing off MILLIONS of people who live, pay taxes
and vote in the Gulf states. Yep, Florida isn't the only problem. TX leaders have steel resolve and LA looks like they have gotten wise to the NMFS manipulation games. FL and even MS is catching on. AL? Who knows??? 80% of the Gulf States decide to look out for their own citizens and economy, that's a high mark to overcome even for the special interest groups.
We are no longer in one sector so their votes will definately be an us v/s them vote now. Most unfortunate for State Governors who appoint Fish and Wildlife Commissioners. Now, the pressure will be on the politicians because we are no longer one sector and we will no longer be looking to the commission as a united group, we will be looking hard at the person who put them there come election day
if the Governor appointed commissions in the 5 Gulf States side against the voting public. This vote for sector separation was a game changer for everyone. Yep, a real game changer.
All the private recreational fishermen are losers in the federal fishery if the Secretary of the Department of Commerce lets Sector Separation be implemented. We'll see how that goes. Congress can still cut funding for NOAA/NMFS. They can repeal the MSA. The fight isn't over by a long shot.
If you want to stop it, go here and take the 1 question poll at the Congressional sportsmen's Caucus then send the link to all your fishing buddies in all the Gulf States!:
http://www.sportsmenslink.org/caucuses/congressional Took me less than 1 minute to complete.
Here is the biggest kicker - If the Commercial, Charter and Private guys all united, we would be able to fix fishery problems. There are enough fish for everyone and we all know the NMFS is BROKEN. Divisions never make things better, it just sets up more fighting amongst ourselves when we should be united to fight against a broken government that creates problems to manage.
