<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>check out the questions that are still unanswered. Would you purchase a boat site unseen, but trust the seller to ensure it is what you wanted after you gave up your money?<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>October 14, 2009<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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><P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>Dr. Bob Shipp, Chairman<o
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><P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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lace w:st="on">Gulf of Mexico</st1
lace> Fishery Management Council<o
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><P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">2203 N. Lois Avenue, Suite 1100</st1:address></st1:Street><o
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><P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><st1
lace w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Tampa</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">FL</st1:State> <st1
ostalCode w:st="on">33607</st1
ostalCode></st1
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><P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>Re: October 2009 Reef Fish Committee discussion of Sector Separation<o
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><P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>Dear Dr. Shipp:<o
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><P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>On behalf of the membership of the CCGF, I wish to provide our comments and questions on the issue of sector separation of the Gulf of Mexico For-Hire Fleet and the Private Recreational fisheries. At this time o<st1:City w:st="on"><st1
lace w:st="on">ur</st1
lace></st1:City> membership has not taken a position on this issue. As you are aware both groups are managed as one recreational sector. Their catch data is collected by separate modes, however the current federal and state data systems do not provide the information necessary to properly determine which group catches what or where.<o
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><P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>Any proposed sector separation will include federally permitted for-hire vessels as well as state licensed for-hire vessels for the 5 <st1:State w:st="on"><st1
lace w:st="on">Gulf States</st1
lace></st1:State>. The current data system does not contain the data necessary to determine how many state licensed vessels catch red snapper, or any federally managed species, in state waters. The data system also does not provide which federally permitted vessel harvests red snapper, or any other federally managed species in federal waters and/or state waters. Without such information, we have serious concerns regarding how the for-hire group will be provided quota and how the private recreational group will be provided quota. Our concern is not limited to a fair allocation but simply any allocation.<o
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><P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>Before we can properly discuss this issue with our membership, we respectfully request some specific answers to pertinent questions. The questions are;<o
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><P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>1:<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> How many state licensed for-hire vessels catch red snapper in state waters?<o
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><P style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in" class=MsoNormal>2:<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> What has the catch of red snapper by state licensed for-hire vessels in state waters been for the period 1986 thru 2008 for each year?<o
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><P style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in" class=MsoNormal><o
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><P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Britannic Bold'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o
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><P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Britannic Bold'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">FIRST RESPONDERS FOR MARINE CONSERVATION<o
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><P style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in" class=MsoNormal>3:<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> How many federal for-hire vessels catch red snapper in both federal and state waters?<o
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><P style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in" class=MsoNormal>4:<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> What has the catch of red snapper by the federal for-hire vessels in both federal and state waters been for the period 1986 thru 2008 for each year?<o
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><P style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in" class=MsoNormal>5:<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> What has the private recreational catch for red snapper been for state waters and federal waters for the period 1986 thru 2008 for each year?<o
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><P style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in" class=MsoNormal>6:<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> If the Council approves separating for-hire vessels from private recreation vessels, what percentage of the total recreational quota for red snapper will be provided to the for-hire vessels and to the private recreational group?<o
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><P style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in" class=MsoNormal>7:<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> How will state licensed for-hire vessels be regulated to be constrained within the for-hire quota? Federally permitted vessels have a permit that can be sanctioned or revoked. What will happen to state licensed for-hire vessels?<o
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><P style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in" class=MsoNormal>8:<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> The current for-hire survey is mandatory for federally permitted vessels but state licensed vessels volunteer for the survey. There is no penalty for a state licensed for-hire vessel that does not provide data. How will those vessels be managed so they have to comply with a data program as the federally permitted do?<o
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><P style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in" class=MsoNormal>9:<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> What has the percentage of red snapper caught in state waters been for the period of 1986 thru 2008 for each year?<o
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><P style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in" class=MsoNormal>10:<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> Since there is an unknown number of state licensed for-hire vessels that catch red snapper in state waters, how will that affect any possible bag limit or season length for the future management of recreational red snapper?<o
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><P style="TEXT-INDENT: -0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in" class=MsoNormal>11:<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> How will the NMFS manage a state licensed for-hire vessel that catches red snapper in state waters?<o
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><P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>These are just a few significant questions that need dependable answers prior to any decision our membership can make regarding sector separation. As you are well aware, the discussion about sector separation has caused serious problems among all recreational fishermen in the Gulf. Many very experienced for-hire and private recreational fishermen have had much discussion on the possible impact of such a management proposal and we know of no one who has been able to provide answers to the questions above. We firmly believe that before any such manage proposal can be implemented, concrete answers to the above questions must be provided.<o
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><P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>We look forward to you prompt reply so we may be able to have a meaningful discussion with our membership.<o
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><P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>Thank you,<o
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><P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>Captain Bob Zales, II<o
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><P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>Executive Director<o
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><P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal>Cc:file<o
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><P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal align=center><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Britannic Bold'; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o
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