The next gag meeting will be a public input forum. This one will be held at night.

What's up between now and then?
The State of Florida will be called to weigh in on behalf of the BILLION DOLLAR INDUSTRY,
Our Senators and Congressmen from Florida and ALL of the GREAT GULF STATES will be called upon to demand that common sense prevail and that real effort data is considered, along with the destructively negative BILLION DOLLAR impact on the STATE of FLORIDA.
New scientific review is forthcoming. SOON.

NEXT ROUND OF HEARINGS.
This is a process. We have weighed in early, not late, in the process. Common sense and reality will prevail, IF we continue to voice our opinion. You will have two more shots at giving public input on gag and red grouper:
A round of night time public input hearings with one council member present, then another full Council meeting where they will consider final action, if any is needed.

The FRA will be making an official request that all of the Florida Council members be present for public input at each of the three meetings in the state.
There will be scientific information available prior to the next round of public hearings.
Some of the figures that NMFS creates look like they are made to order for what the boss wants. We'll get some independent opinion soon.

We will be requesting that all tackle companies make themselves heard.
They think that the American Sportfishing Association is representing them in the Gulf. They need to think again. ASA has never been here for us. Not once.
I hear that the trackle manufacturers are geting the dire economic predictions resulting from this wrongful grouper shutdown.

The FRA will be looking for people who will be attending the Miami Boat Show.
We have a plan to let the affected industry people know who is fighting for their very economic survival.

Remember, y'all-
IT AINT OVER UNTIL WE SAY IT'S OVER!

write letters to your state and federal congressmen! they do listen when many angry constituants take the time to write and mail a letter.

I spent a fair amount of time on the phone today with aides in Congressman C.W. Bill Youngs office and Senator Bill Nelsons office. Both aides gave me ample time to express my concerns about our fishery. They requested that I put my concerns in writing and they "PROMISED" to make sure my letters would get forwarded to Washington and be reviewed by senior staff. Hopefully the info I provide will make it directly to Congressman Young and Senator Nelson.

:toast::toast: Mine went out on Tuesday.

Spear One, I remember you warning us years ago about what was coming down the road. Looks like everybody believes you now!!!!

Spear One, I remember you warning us years ago about what was coming down the road. Looks like everybody believes you now!!!!

Well, it was a senior staffer at the NMFS back in 1992 that told me what was coming in the future................ ie. one fish per person per species and a 4 month closure on each species. Of course, at the time I believed rules that oppressive could never happen. Unfortunately, he was right and I was wrong!

This Grouper amendment has not become law yet and I think Denny and the FRA have a very good chance at getting it shot down. Everyone needs to write letters and make phone calls to as many Congressman, Senators, Governors, & Representatives as you can before the final GOMFMC vote in April.

I wrote several letter today...Also changed some words around and sent in letters under my brothers name and my girlfriends. hehehehehe, so one day in the next week a certain senator is going to get 8 letters about this...

Here is my letter to the President:

February 2, 2008
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500


Dear Mr. President,

I am registered Republican that votes every election. I am very concerned that you are considering a proposal called Islands in the Stream. As I understand this it is a proposal to close fishing in the Gulf of Mexico in an area call the Florida Middle Grounds. This would bring even harder economic impact on the people of Florida at a time when our economy is extremely unstable. This action effects the merchants and the boating industries which deal in off shore fishing equipment. This effort includes my rights as an American Sportsman. It’s understood that you also are an outdoorsman and hope you would understand this plea.

Every day the National Marine Fishing Services (NMFS) are attempting to take my rights away to the resources that up until now have been freely available; this makes me angry as a U.S. Citizen. Soon the American outdoors will only be able to be enjoyed by a select few. Fishing will become only a memory which is a shame. Fishing has always been associated with family togetherness and if removed, will only allow families to fall further apart in our society.

The Florida Middle Grounds should not be a viable commodity that is under more Federal restrictions. This would be a travesty to me, and my fellow Florida fisherman who travel there to enjoy this sport that means so much to us. By shutting down the Florida Middle Grounds, under this new proposal, would make a personal petting ground for the Environmentalist organizations. We the American sportsman want and need to give you our opinions and by doing so isn’t structured to allow the Fisherman to squander fish needlessly.

I appreciate your time and effort on this matter. In the scope of other events this may seem to be a lower priority to you, however to me, and my fellow Florida Fisherman this is high priority and hope you can and will appreciate the need to act quickly.





Sincerely,




David M. May

Great letter David!