Tomorrow is a big day for fishermen who like to eat what they catch.<\/p>\n
At stake
\nThe FWC commission is trying to pass legislative to create a mechanism that
\ngrants them the ability to close a fishery to harvest not just for
\nbiological reasons but for “marketing purposes”, “tourism strategy” and in
\neffect any personal or political reasons without any scientific
\njustification or checks on their actions.<\/p>\n
That’s right, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Bonefish Tarpon
\nTrust and other special interest groups are trying to push an agenda to
\nclassify fish such as Permit and Cobia as Gamefish or Sportfish. Doing so
\nwould eliminate harvest for food and turning the fishery in to catch and
\nrelease only and thus illegal to harvest by spear.<\/p>\n
Cobia and Permit are great table fair food fish and neither are in jeopardy
\nof over fishing or are being over fished. If this is allowed to pass, other
\nspecies of fish could be added to the Gamefish\/Sportfish status. Like
\nGrouper, Hogfish, Snapper…….Are you allowed to harvest snook, redfish
\nor trout by spear? NO and they are good tasting food quality fish.<\/p>\n
This could how NOAA fulfills their Goal of Making Fishing a Catch and
\nRelease sport ONLY by 2020<\/p>\n
FWC February Commission Meeting
\nDiver input needed urgently!
\nDate: Wednesday, February 13, 2013
\nLocation: “Port of Call” at Sea World Park
\n7007 Sea World Drive.
\nOrlando, FL 32821
\nTime: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
\nAgenda: Saltwater Game & Sport Fish designations
\nSummary: 68B-2.010 The proposed final rule would create a new subsection
\nthat states the intent of the designations, which is to conserve premier
\nrecreational fish species in Florida and enhance the marketing capacity for
\nFlorida’s recreational fishing opportunities. The proposed final rule would
\ncreate a saltwater game fish designation, the components of which would be
\nno commercial harvest or possession, sale or purchase. The proposed final
\nrule would also create an elite designation for saltwater sport fish, the
\ncomponents of which would be no harvest or possession recreationally or
\ncommercially and no purchase or sale.<\/p>\n
How to take action and share your opinion<\/p>\n
Send the commissioners an email at commissioners@myfwc.com<\/a>. Please CC Below is a Suggested copy (feel free to personalize the following):<\/p>\n Dear Commissioners- I oppose any action on the sportfish\/gamefish framework rules. I will be forwarding this to Governor Scott’s office. I will also be Under State of Florida law, I have the right to hunt and fish if Thank you for your attention to this matter. I appreciate the opportunity Again- I OPPOSE THE ENTIRE GAMEFISH\/SPORTFISH FRAMEWORK.<\/p>\n Regarding Red snapper, you must take action to stop the destruction of red Thank you.<\/p>\n Your name To learn more please visit http:\/\/www.spearfishingplanet.com\/fishing-regulations\/28598-so-what-big-fuss-about-giving-regulators-blank-check.html#post231655<\/a><http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/l\/QAQHP_Ff6\/www.spearfishingplanet.com\/fishing-regulations\/28598-so-what-big-fuss-about-giving-regulators-blank-check.html%23post231655<\/a>><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.spearfishingplanet.com\/fishing-regulations\/28536-input-upcoming-public-hearing.html<\/a><http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/l\/_AQHpwmYw\/www.spearfishingplanet.com\/fishing-regulations\/28536-input-upcoming-public-hearing.html<\/a>> Tomorrow is a big day for fishermen who like to eat what they catch.
\nfra@tampabay.rr.com<\/a>.
\nSuggested Subject: Sportfish\/gamefish opposition; red snapper protection<\/p>\n
\nMy message covers two issues, sportifsh\/gamefish and red snapper.<\/p>\n
\nThere is no biological need and no economic benefit, yet there IS an
\nabsolute reduction of fishing opportunity inherent in either designation.
\nThis rule benefits few while taking from many.<\/p>\n
\ncontacting my state legislators, as I am appalled at the waste of state
\nresources on such a non-issue.
\nSeveral people will be at the meeting to express detailed reasons for
\nopposition of this action. Please pay attention to those people.<\/p>\n
\npopulations are healthy. This framework appears to violate my right.<\/p>\n
\nto submit a comment.<\/p>\n
\nsnapper habitat and the needless slaughter of thousands of red snapper
\nevery week. Please weigh in with the federal government regarding the
\nhealth of the red snapper stock and its dependence on habitat. This
\nneedless destruction is unacceptable and must be stopped.<\/p>\n
\nAddress
\nPhone number<\/p>\n
\nhttp:\/\/thefra.org\/<\/a> <http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/l\/FAQFIxeVx\/thefra.org\/<\/a>><\/p>\n
\n<http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/l\/WAQFU9RZfAQFY74wxjUVRy-VAT-hcsjMS78OlQVKPPSTQ2g\/thefra.org\/<\/a>>The
\nFRA Fishing Rights
\nAlliance<http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/l\/xAQFlKPirAQG3amJdVjEACQeUgsNzAcJAu2ZK68Po7LzxjA\/thefra.org\/<\/a>>
\nthefra.org<http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/l\/xAQFlKPirAQG3amJdVjEACQeUgsNzAcJAu2ZK68Po7LzxjA\/thefra.org\/<\/a>>
\nNMFS says ‘privilege’, FRA and Florida say fishing is a RIGHT.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\nAt stake
\nThe FWC commission is trying to pass legislative to create a mechanism that
\ngrants them the ability to close a fishery to harvest not just for
\nbiological reasons but for “marketing purposes”, “tourism strategy” and in
\neffect any personal or political reasons without any scientific
\njustification or checks on their actions.
\nThat’s right, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Bonefish Tarpon
\nTrust and other special interest groups are trying to push an agenda to
\nclassify fish such as Permit and Cobia as Gamefish or Sportfish. Doing so
\nwould eliminate harvest for food and turning the fishery in to catch and
\nrelease only and thus illegal to harvest by spear.
\nCobia and Permit are great table fair food fish and neither are in jeopardy
\nof over fishing or are being over fished. If this is allowed to pass, other
\nspecies of fish could be added to the Gamefish\/Sportfish status. …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[138,60,43,171,90,172,23,176,40,45,82,11,32,31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7517","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-alert","category-conservation","category-diver","category-divetalking-2","category-earth","category-education","category-events","category-extinction","category-featured","category-fish","category-ocean","category-reefs","category-reference","category-report"],"yoast_head":"\n