Urgent Legislative Alert Regarding Goliath Grouper

Next week, the State of Florida will decide the goliath grouper’s fate.
Since 1990, possessing or harvesting this fish has been prohibited by law.

After reviewing the available studies and reports, the PADI organization
believes it is prudent to maintain the current “no-take” status quo until
compelling evidence that the population has satisfactorily recovered to
levels that would sustain harvesting is presented. The PADI organization
believes it is premature to opening the fishery now because:

  – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s staff analysis
  indicates there is insufficient data to use detailed assessment methods,
  thus requiring more assumption-based (rather than data-based)
assessments. 2011
  Goliath Grouper presentation – page
9<http://myfwc.com/docs/CommissionMeetings/2011/Feb/GoliathGrouperStock_presentation.pdf>

  – In the required formal review of the State’s goliath grouper population
  assessment, the appointed independent scientific panel deemed the assessment
  was not suitable because of these data gaps. 2011 Goliath Grouper
  presentation – page
3<http://myfwc.com/docs/CommissionMeetings/2011/Feb/GoliathGrouperStock_presentation.pdf>

  – The Goliath Grouper study conducted by Florida State University’s
  Center for Economic Forecasting and Analysis concluded, “The goliath grouper
  population remains critically endangered throughout its range, despite the
  bright spot of recovery in southwest Florida.” Goliath Grouper Study
  October 2009 <http://www.cefa.fsu.edu/Projects/Current-Projects>

  – The International Union for the Conversation of Nature (IUCN), the
  global species conservation authority, lists the goliath grouper as
*critically
  endangered* and recommends harvesting moratorium be maintained until
  scientific evidence of population rebuilding is confirmed. IUCN – Goliath
  Grouper <http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/7857/0>

While the above will be the position the PADI organization will present to
the Fish & Wildlife Commission, we also wish to know what you think by
voting for one of the three options  under consideration by the
Commission (2011
Goliath Grouper presentation – pages
17-19<http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/7857/0>):

  – Maintain the Status Quo – no harvest & manage for high ecotourism
  values

  – Tightly Regulated Harvest – limited recreational harvest & possible
  restricted harvest areas

  – More Liberal Harvest – less restrictive size & bag limits, consider
  commercial harvest

As stewards of our oceans, what action do you feel the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission should take? Please take this short
survey<http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YC9C9SY><
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YC9C9SY> and let your voice be heard. Thank
you.

Sincerely,

Jeff Nadler
Industry and Governmental Relation Executive
PADI Americas
Jeff.Nadler@padi.com

    <http://www.padi.com>
*PADI Americas*
30151 Tomas Street
Rancho Santa Margarita
CA 92688-2125
Phone: 800 729 7234, or +1 949 858 7234
Fax: +1 949 267 1261
Web: http://www.padi.com

Questions? We want to hear from you. Please send your reply to
membersvcs@padi.com

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