View from the Helm By Dennis O'Hern

Congratulations to all of you who showed up at the January Gulf Council Meeting for public input. You all made Fisheries Management History. You should be proud of the effect your participation is having on fisheries management. Susan V from LA asked me to express her thanks for all of your input. She was paying attention. The short of it is: We have some work to do. Our gag bag limit is threatened, but not yet given away. Final rule will be made in April (as of right now, it could go to June if something happens).

TightLines Tackle, Bett’s Fishing Center, Dogfish Tackle, Aquatic Obsessions, Fanta-Sea Scuba, Florida Freedivers, Narcosis Scuba, JBL Guns and so many more need to be thanked. Watch the FRA site as we update it with names of and links to supporters of YOUR FISHING RIGHTS.

Gag Grouper is far from a done deal. There will be another round of public input and another Full Council hearing before the rule is finalized. The FRA intends to force the National Marine Fisheries Service to estimate the recreational sector gag landings based on the significantly reduced effort. We expect the State of Florida to get involved (see below).

Remember this, my friends:

It aint over until WE say it’s over. (Really, I’ll tell ya if I ever think it’s over…)

We are going to make those NMFS people do their jobs while the Gov. Charlie and our Senators and Congressmen make sure that our state is protected from undue economic and social impact.


In pursuit of fairness,


Denny

Thanks, Denny.

I am available for tasks needed by the alliance. Wanted to let you know myself.

All you gotta do is send the instructions.

Roger

Me too

Many thanks Denny.

Denny

Keep fighting the fight that needs fighting. Thanks Again

Deney, next time you talk to one of them, tell them Ray has some marbles in a bucket and the kids want him to come out and play. They said I had better bring at least a hundred. My marbles are in a bucket in the attic and I can't see how many there are. Ask them to PLEASE look on their computers and use their scientific formulary to determine if I can go out and play. Know that I trust them with my family’s livelihood, my business' welfare and my children's education. What more can an American citizen ask for?

Hang in there Denny. Great talking to you today.

Sick'em Denny.......................

I'm gonna get the whole Louisiana population involved in the FRA.....

Keep up the good work and thanks!

Ray
They called me and asked me if I had any marbles and I told them I haven't seen any marbles in a long time, and since I don't use marbles then there must not be any or enough in your bucket. Let me call my neighbors to see if they have seen your marbles and if not then sience only proves that you must not have enough marbles. And you know you can alway's trust data like that.

Dave