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VOICE YOUR OPINIONS AT GULF OF MEXICO FISHERY COUNCIL HEARING IN FT. WALTON BEACH ON NOVEMBER 16.
CCA FLORIDA URGES ALL CCA CHAPTERS, FISHING CLUBS AND ANGLERS TO ORGANIZE, ATTEND THE HEARING AND OPPOSE FEDERAL PROPOSALS FOR RECREATIONAL GULF GROUPER FISHING AND TO SUPPORT STATE OF FLORIDA RECOMMENDATIONS!
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SITUATION:
CCA's recent legal victory in the Gulf grouper lawsuit is a big win for recreational fishermen and the State of Florida. Gulf anglers will now be able to continue fishing for gag, black and other grouper, only red grouper fishing will be closed during November and December in federal waters this year.
However, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) interim rule will expire on January 31, 2006 and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council) is required to develop regulations to replace the NMFS interim rule when it expires. The Gulf Council has prepared seven management alternatives for the final public hearing and the Council's "Preferred Alternative" would 1) prohibit recreational fishing for all groupers from Feb. 15 - March 15, 2) reduce the five grouper aggregate bag limit to three, and 3) allow only one red grouper in the bag limit.
CCA Florida will oppose the federal proposals and urge the Council to adopt the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recommendation. The FWC has recommended 1) retaining the current five fish aggregate limit, 2) reducing the red grouper limit to one, and 3) no season closures.
The Gulf red and gag grouper fisheries exist almost exclusively off of the State of Florida. As a result, the FWC is a major part of the management process. The FWC became actively involved in the issue and urged the feds to hold public hearings in Florida. Hundreds of recreational anglers, charter boat captains and other recreational industry interests attended the Florida hearings to oppose federal proposals.
The FWC analyzed the federal fisheries information, received testimony from NMFS, and developed an alternative recommendation. In their June 24, 2005 letter, they urged the feds to just reduce the current two fish red grouper recreational bag limit (which had just been reduced from five) to a one fish limit and specifically opposed any closed seasons. On September 22 the FWC held another public hearing on the issue and unanimously voted to maintain their recommendation.
CCA supports the FWC recommendation and opposes other federal proposals.
ACT NOW! ORGANIZE TO ATTEND THE HEARING AND MAKE YOUR OPINIONS KNOWN!
FOR THOSE UNABLE TO ATTEND, SEND YOUR E-MAIL COMMENTS TO THE:
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council at gulfcouncil@gulfcouncil.org
URGE THEM TO ADOPT THE FLORIDA FWC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE "RED GROUPER REGULATORY AMENDMENT."
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