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PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE!
RADISSON PORT CANAVERAL
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 11TH
3:00 ¨C 7:00 pm
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is a holding public hearing for the purpose of closing the South Atlantic from the 90¡¯ depth line out to 200 miles year round for up to 35 years
TO ALL BOTTOM FISHING
for the stated purpose of protecting Red Snapper.
It will only take 10 -15 minutes of your time to be heard and information is available on the rear of this flyer on the issues.
It is important for all anglers to attend and voice their opposition to this unwarranted closure.
This will be our last opportunity to speak and express our opposition on this issue in this area before the vote to close and we need to make a strong showing.
For more information email ¨C Dheil331@gmail.com
How to comment at the public hearing
1. Fill out the card that you wish to speak (you will be limited to 3 minutes so be ready!)
2. When you¡¯re called, state your name, what type of angler you are, a short history of your fishing experience
3. Tell them what your impression is of the present status of the Red Snapper fishery
4. Additional suggestions for comments are below.
Amendment 17A ¨C Red Snapper & bottom closure
-The current stock of Red Snapper is healthy and growing. This is proof that the current regulations are correct and working.
-We oppose any changes in the Red Snapper regulations until such time as there is reliable data to upon which to base any changes.
-The stock assessment and historical data are based upon a failed attempt to determine the stocks of Snapper before 1980.
-Due to the fact that there is no reliable data before 1980, the baseline date for stock assessments for Grouper/Snapper must be reset to 1980 instead the arbitrary date of 1945, and a new assessment must be done before any regulations can be implemented.
-Dr. Frank Hester has proven there exist flaws in the assessment and the Council must act upon this new information that he has provided and reassess the stocks accordingly.
-Professors Waldner and Chesnes of Palm Beach Atlantic also reviewed the assessments concluded that the estimates were wrong and stated ¡°They have no idea of the historic population¡± of Red Snapper.
-The 7 to 6 vote on the interim rule shows that there is many questions as to the nature and effect among the Council members.
-Council members cannot enact such a far reaching measure based upon information that is admitted to be flawed is irresponsible.
-The closure will shut down the charter fishing fleets and cause loss of jobs in marinas, bait shops, restaurants etc. There has not been an economic impact study done for the South Atlantic. The current study extrapolates information from 2 boats in 1 port in the panhandle to the entire South
Atlantic region.
-In the State of Florida in according to the Florida Wildlife Commission in 2008 Saltwater fishing generated $3,141,005,027 in retail sales, generated $326, 166,528 in sales taxes, had a total economic impact of $5,369,293,552 and creates 54,508 jobs. This economy will be severely impacted by this closure.
-We support the use of circle hooks and venting tools to reduce mortality. This reduction in mortality will further strengthen the stocks.
Amendment 17B
1.1 Speckled hind/warsaw grouper
We support Alternative 1 (Status Quo).
There is no basis for any changes to the fishery.
1.2 Golden Tilefish
We support Alternative 4
The 50/50 recreational/commercial allocation is the only alternative that complies with National Standard 4 as being ¡°such allocation shall be (A) fair and equitable to all such fishermen¡±
Golden Tilefish ACL & AM
We do not support any of the proposed alternatives.
We do however support a modified Alternative 5 in which the accountability measure for the recreational anglers annual catch limit is not tied in any way to the commercial limit.
1.3 Snowy grouper
We object to all of the alternatives. The recreational anglers must be given an equal and separate allocation of the Snowy Grouper. We urge the Council to adopt a alternative that
(a) Allocates 50% recreational allocation at 41,450 lbs.
(b) sets the recreational limit of 1Snowy Grouper (Included in the 3 grouper aggregate)
1.4 Black grouper, black sea bass, gag, red grouper, and vermilion snapper
We support Alternative 1 which maintains the current regulations.
Amendment 18
1: Extend the range of the snapper©\grouper FMP north
We support Alternative 1.
We oppose the extension of the Snapper Grouper fishery management plan north beyond the North Carolina/Virginia border. The SAFMC has failed to properly manage the areas within their region; the extension would only extend the mismanagement into other areas and takes the focus away from the main area of concern in the South Atlantic.
2: Limit participation and effort in the golden tilefish fishery
None of the alternatives are acceptable.
The SAFMC must set the allocation at 50% recreational/ 50% commercial. The present 97% commercial/3% recreational allocation is unfair in violation of the National Standard 4 of the Magnuson Stevens Act. Further all longline fishing must be banned.
3: Modifications to management of the black sea bass pot fishery
None of the alternatives are acceptable.
All pot fishing must be eliminated.
4: Separate snowy grouper quota into regions/states
We support alternative 3.
We support the separation into states and specifically separating Florida into its own management region.
5: Separate the gag recreational allocation into regions/states
We support alternative 3.
We support the separation into states and specifically separating Florida into its own management region.
6: Change the golden tilefish fishing year
None of the alternatives are acceptable.
We have no opinion on the change of the Golden Tile fishing year, but the allocation must be changed to 50/50.
7: Improve the accuracy, timing, and quantity of fisheries statistics.
We support Alternative 2. (voluntary recreational logbook)
We demand that the Council not make any changes to the regulations until such time as there is reliable statistics upon to base any new regulations.
© Copyright 2003 by Deep-Blue-Sea.org
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