Thursday, April 17, 2014

GOV. SCOTT: FEDERAL POLICY MUST ALLOW MORE FISHING OPPORTUNITIES, NOT LESS

For Immediate Release April 17, 2014
(850) 717-9282

GOV. SCOTT: FEDERAL POLICY MUST ALLOW MORE FISHING OPPORTUNITIES, NOT LESS

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott sent a letter to Secretary Penny Pritzker of the U.S. Department of Commerce. In his letter Governor Scottoutlines his disappointment in the lack of flexibility the federal system allows for the management of the red snapper season and other stock fish. The full letter is below and attached.


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April 17, 2014



The Honorable Penny Pritzker
Secretary
U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, D.C. 20230

Dear Secretary Pritzker:

Florida’s natural resources, especially those along our coast, are critical to our economy and communities.  For example, Florida’s Gulf Coast communities depend upon the Red Snapper fishery to draw in visitors, keep for-hire vessels working, and fill local hotels, shops and restaurants.  As with other natural resources in Florida, our state agencies have invested a significant amount of time, resources and study into ensuring we prudently manage this important asset.

This week, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Commission) just set a 52-day summer recreational red snapper season in Florida state waters of the Gulf of Mexico for 2014.  This eight day increase in the summer season will provide recreational harvest opportunities for Florida’s residents and visitors, economic opportunities for Florida businesses, while also allowing the continued recovery of the fishery.  I am proud of the Commission’s action and their willingness to balance the economic needs of Florida’s coastal communities with the need to rebuild the red snapper fishery.

I am very disappointed; however, in how the federal system has been managing red snapper and other fish stocks.  The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Act) lacks much needed flexibility.  The recreational red snapper season in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico will be only a few days this year – assuming harvest is even allowed.  Federal recreational season lengths have declined from 365 days per year to likely less than 11 days this year, all while anglers have watched red snapper become more abundant as the stock continually improves.

The Act must be modified to allow more fishing opportunities; not less, as fish stock improves.  Under the current system, the Federal Fishery Management Council process and the Act are unnecessarily rigid and too often penalize fishermen and the businesses and communities that depend on them.  Better stock assessments and recreational data collection are key to managing our recreational and commercial fisheries. We all want healthy fish stock, but we also need to ensure our local businesses and communities that depend on fishing continue to thrive.

As this act is revised and reauthorized by Congress, I urge you to support amendments that incorporate more flexibility, more up-to-date data collection, and seriously consider social and economic needs.  A balance must be struck so anglers of present and future generations can continue to participate in a fishery while it continues to grow.  Now is the time for action and change.  Now is the time to fix what is broken and to turn disappointment and frustration into a success story for those who depend upon and enjoy our fisheries.

                                                                        Sincerely,



                                                                        Rick Scott
                                                                        Governor


http://live.oysterradio.com/

2 comments:

Capt. Tom Adams said...

Way to go Gov Scott. We need some immediate intervention. Another whole year is about to pass us by with very little to no snapper due to mismanagement By Ror Crabtree and NOAA. If Roy Crabtree had been doing his job we would have at least 40 days of federal red snapper fishing instead of 11 days or less.

Capt. Tom Adams said...

Another year ruined By Roy Crabtree. You can also thank the gulf commercial fishermen for our shortened season

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