RidgeRunner
God
http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2011/nov/02/letter-fish-are-fine-off-treasure-coast-but-are/
I agree with the article. The latest is the black sea bass. Really? They are in jeopardy? Hardly, it is all political.
This is how FL Fish and Game responded to my letter last year. (letter below that)
Dear Mr. Allen,
Thank you for your recent email to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Commission) regarding fishing regulations in Florida. Your views and concerns are important to us.
We understand that recreational anglers are frustrated with the increase in fishing regulations. Many of the new regulations you have cited in your email are the result of changes in federal fisheries management. In 2006 Congress amended the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. This act dictates how federal fisheries under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Commerce are regulated. One of the most important changes made to the act was a provision requiring federal managers to implement strict catch limits for all species that are undergoing overfishing by 2010. This resulted in sudden changes to regulations for 14 species of reef fish in the Gulf and Atlantic waters surrounding Florida (including greater amberjack, red snapper, and several species of grouper). In most cases the Commission has adopted consistent regulations for these species in state waters because not doing so would only prolong the recovery of fish populations and likely result in even more stringent regulations in federal waters. While the Commission would normally take a more gradual approach to management than we are seeing at the federal level, we do share in the same goal of carefully managing all our fish stocks. Like you, we want to ensure that fisheries are managed to provide the greatest possible public benefit and enjoyment for the long term. We recognize that this new federal emphasis on rebuilding fisheries is having a significant, immediate impact on fishermen everywhere. Nowhere is this impact being felt more than here in Florida. We are exploring all possible avenues to lessen these impacts while still achieving a long-term improvement in our fisheries.
You stated a belief that the Commission has shown favoritism to commercial fishing over recreational angling. The Commission makes every effort to treat all fishing interests in a fair and balanced manner. While many of the new federal restrictions are being applied to recreational anglers to a degree they have not experienced before, similar restrictions are being applied to commercial fishers. Historically, there have been significant restrictions and limits placed on commercial fishing throughout the Southeast. In Florida, commercial fishing is still an important and unique industry providing fresh seafood to markets and consumers. We also recognize the enormous economic value of recreational fishing in Florida. We would like to see both industries continue contribute to the overall health of our economy.
Thank you again for your letter.
Kathleen Hampton
Office of Executive Director
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
620 South Meridian Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600
Phone: (850) 410-0656, ext. 17225
Fax: (850) 921-5786
Email: kathleen.hampton@myfwc.com
Please note: Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from state officials regarding state business are considered public records and are available to the public and the media upon request. Therefore, your e-mail communications may be subject to public disclosure.
From: victor [mailto:RTREATING@tampabay.rr.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 6:05 PM
To: FWC Commissioners
Subject: No more for me thanks, I've had about enough.
I read all of your Bios. very impressive, I think I could easily say that you have all done quite well for yourselves, congratulations. Because you were appointed by the Govornor I will attempt to show respect. I am furious as I am typing.
As a avid hunter, boat owner, fisherman and taxpayer residing in Polk County I was raised fishing the State's waters. (I honestly never hunt in Florida, that is another topic altogether.) I have seen positive and negative results from your rulemaking. The limits you have imposed on recreational anglers are unfounded and unfair. You have allowed the Commercial Fisherman to take take take while simultaneously restricting the recreational fisherman to laughable levels. I go for fun but I also go to bring home some meat to try and offset the huge cost of going in the first place, it is part of my heritage but not an entitlement.
I regularly catch redfish, sometimes as many as 100 in a single day but I am limited to one fish in the slot. Not even enough to feed my family one time.
Your limit on Amberjack to one fish is a farse. You obviously don't fish where I do, they are like mosquitos in the marsh they are so thick.
Red Snapper are closed entirely and now that the colder weather is upon us I can finally go catch some keeper Grouper near shore in my 23' Whaler. Wait, you have limited the number there to Zero also by closing the season for four months. I simply don't understand how you can actually think that recreational anglers could take enough to hurt the breeding stock when we are only allowed 5 and only of a certain size, soon to be only three if and when you open the season.
Believe me when I tell you I am practicing conservation, I refuse to spend the money it takes to go to the Grouper grounds without being allowed to keep anything. You keep changing the regulations so fast it is impossible to keep up. It is a joke but I am not laughing and I am not alone.
Had I known this degree of favoritism was possible I would have never invested my money in an attempt to fish offshore. I currently own four boats worth approx $100,000, fishing gear $10,000 plus the fees taxes and licensing that goes along with four boats. For my investment I will have a poor return but so will the rest of Florida. Joe Tedder will no longer collect the registration money on my four boats, nor the tags for the four trailers. FWC will no longer receive my fishing license money. Stone's Outhouse will no longer be selling me hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in fishing tackle. Suwannee Shores Marina will no longer receive the ramp fee money or sell me gasoline at $3.35/gallon. Certified Marine will no longer have me as a customer. The Florida Department of Revenue is out their easy 7% on all of the aforementioned dollars spent. Boston Whaler, Wellcraft, Carolina Skiff and NV Boats have lost thousands in future profits from me alone. I would never spend that kind of money if I had it to do over again, why would anyone? You regulate and Florida and all sportsmen therein are the losers not to mention the tourism dollars you just canned. The economic impact is staggering.
I am seriously considering getting out of the recreational fishing business along with many of my friends who are fish guide captains. Many of the captains were once netters put out of business with the net ban (which I supported) and are being squeezed out again. Thanks to the seven of you who have taken the side of the Commercial Fisheries.
When I think about the unjust regulations that have been thrust upon us I can only see your faces. In your defense, I suspect you believe you are doing something good for the sake of Conservation, I believe you are misguided by environmentalist that have provided bogus numbers to support their agenda. Politics as usual. ("Politics" being used here in the worst manner imaginable) The resources you manage belong to all of us and are certainly worth preserving, I have been doing my part at conservation. How can you tell me that you have been doing your job when recreational fishermen are allowed none?
Sincerely sick and tired of getting the short end of the stick,
Victor V. Allen
I agree with the article. The latest is the black sea bass. Really? They are in jeopardy? Hardly, it is all political.
This is how FL Fish and Game responded to my letter last year. (letter below that)
Dear Mr. Allen,
Thank you for your recent email to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Commission) regarding fishing regulations in Florida. Your views and concerns are important to us.
We understand that recreational anglers are frustrated with the increase in fishing regulations. Many of the new regulations you have cited in your email are the result of changes in federal fisheries management. In 2006 Congress amended the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. This act dictates how federal fisheries under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Commerce are regulated. One of the most important changes made to the act was a provision requiring federal managers to implement strict catch limits for all species that are undergoing overfishing by 2010. This resulted in sudden changes to regulations for 14 species of reef fish in the Gulf and Atlantic waters surrounding Florida (including greater amberjack, red snapper, and several species of grouper). In most cases the Commission has adopted consistent regulations for these species in state waters because not doing so would only prolong the recovery of fish populations and likely result in even more stringent regulations in federal waters. While the Commission would normally take a more gradual approach to management than we are seeing at the federal level, we do share in the same goal of carefully managing all our fish stocks. Like you, we want to ensure that fisheries are managed to provide the greatest possible public benefit and enjoyment for the long term. We recognize that this new federal emphasis on rebuilding fisheries is having a significant, immediate impact on fishermen everywhere. Nowhere is this impact being felt more than here in Florida. We are exploring all possible avenues to lessen these impacts while still achieving a long-term improvement in our fisheries.
You stated a belief that the Commission has shown favoritism to commercial fishing over recreational angling. The Commission makes every effort to treat all fishing interests in a fair and balanced manner. While many of the new federal restrictions are being applied to recreational anglers to a degree they have not experienced before, similar restrictions are being applied to commercial fishers. Historically, there have been significant restrictions and limits placed on commercial fishing throughout the Southeast. In Florida, commercial fishing is still an important and unique industry providing fresh seafood to markets and consumers. We also recognize the enormous economic value of recreational fishing in Florida. We would like to see both industries continue contribute to the overall health of our economy.
Thank you again for your letter.
Kathleen Hampton
Office of Executive Director
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
620 South Meridian Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600
Phone: (850) 410-0656, ext. 17225
Fax: (850) 921-5786
Email: kathleen.hampton@myfwc.com
Please note: Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from state officials regarding state business are considered public records and are available to the public and the media upon request. Therefore, your e-mail communications may be subject to public disclosure.
From: victor [mailto:RTREATING@tampabay.rr.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 05, 2010 6:05 PM
To: FWC Commissioners
Subject: No more for me thanks, I've had about enough.
I read all of your Bios. very impressive, I think I could easily say that you have all done quite well for yourselves, congratulations. Because you were appointed by the Govornor I will attempt to show respect. I am furious as I am typing.
As a avid hunter, boat owner, fisherman and taxpayer residing in Polk County I was raised fishing the State's waters. (I honestly never hunt in Florida, that is another topic altogether.) I have seen positive and negative results from your rulemaking. The limits you have imposed on recreational anglers are unfounded and unfair. You have allowed the Commercial Fisherman to take take take while simultaneously restricting the recreational fisherman to laughable levels. I go for fun but I also go to bring home some meat to try and offset the huge cost of going in the first place, it is part of my heritage but not an entitlement.
I regularly catch redfish, sometimes as many as 100 in a single day but I am limited to one fish in the slot. Not even enough to feed my family one time.
Your limit on Amberjack to one fish is a farse. You obviously don't fish where I do, they are like mosquitos in the marsh they are so thick.
Red Snapper are closed entirely and now that the colder weather is upon us I can finally go catch some keeper Grouper near shore in my 23' Whaler. Wait, you have limited the number there to Zero also by closing the season for four months. I simply don't understand how you can actually think that recreational anglers could take enough to hurt the breeding stock when we are only allowed 5 and only of a certain size, soon to be only three if and when you open the season.
Believe me when I tell you I am practicing conservation, I refuse to spend the money it takes to go to the Grouper grounds without being allowed to keep anything. You keep changing the regulations so fast it is impossible to keep up. It is a joke but I am not laughing and I am not alone.
Had I known this degree of favoritism was possible I would have never invested my money in an attempt to fish offshore. I currently own four boats worth approx $100,000, fishing gear $10,000 plus the fees taxes and licensing that goes along with four boats. For my investment I will have a poor return but so will the rest of Florida. Joe Tedder will no longer collect the registration money on my four boats, nor the tags for the four trailers. FWC will no longer receive my fishing license money. Stone's Outhouse will no longer be selling me hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in fishing tackle. Suwannee Shores Marina will no longer receive the ramp fee money or sell me gasoline at $3.35/gallon. Certified Marine will no longer have me as a customer. The Florida Department of Revenue is out their easy 7% on all of the aforementioned dollars spent. Boston Whaler, Wellcraft, Carolina Skiff and NV Boats have lost thousands in future profits from me alone. I would never spend that kind of money if I had it to do over again, why would anyone? You regulate and Florida and all sportsmen therein are the losers not to mention the tourism dollars you just canned. The economic impact is staggering.
I am seriously considering getting out of the recreational fishing business along with many of my friends who are fish guide captains. Many of the captains were once netters put out of business with the net ban (which I supported) and are being squeezed out again. Thanks to the seven of you who have taken the side of the Commercial Fisheries.
When I think about the unjust regulations that have been thrust upon us I can only see your faces. In your defense, I suspect you believe you are doing something good for the sake of Conservation, I believe you are misguided by environmentalist that have provided bogus numbers to support their agenda. Politics as usual. ("Politics" being used here in the worst manner imaginable) The resources you manage belong to all of us and are certainly worth preserving, I have been doing my part at conservation. How can you tell me that you have been doing your job when recreational fishermen are allowed none?
Sincerely sick and tired of getting the short end of the stick,
Victor V. Allen
Not very reassuring for the future of recreational fishing. 
