I. STATEMENT
CCA Florida strongly recommends that the Commission amend the proposed Memorandum of Understanding to clarify and protect the FWC’s ability to independently evaluate the marine reserve areas that will be proposed by the Park and, if deemed necessary, to oppose the establishment of “no fishing zones” in those areas.
II. RECOMMENDATION
On page 4, between lines 142 and 143 insert the following amendment:
Whereas, the FWC believes that marine reserve (no-take areas) are overly restrictive and that less restrictive fishery management measures should be tried first; therefore, nothing in this memorandum of understanding shall be construed as limiting in any way the FWC’s ability to independently evaluate and, if deemed necessary by the FWC, to oppose marine reserve (no-take areas) which may be proposed by the NPS.
