I just thought you guys might like to read some of the numbers from the Senators Office.

From: Senator Don Gaetz
To: Earl Durden
Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2008 4:29 PM
Subject: Gaetz urges "No" on curtailing Red Snapper season

February 5, 2008



Today Senator Gaetz sent the following letter to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. On February 7th, the Commission is scheduled to vote on the adoption of regulations that will specifically affect Red Snapper fishing. The vote will have a critical impact on the recreational fishing industry in Northwest Florida and Senator Gaetz has given his full weight in urging the Commission to vote "No".



Chairman Rodney Barreto

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

620 South Meridian Street

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600



Dear Chairman Barreto,

Recently I have been contacted by several charter boat captains in my district regarding an upcoming vote by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission concerning the adoption of the National Marine Fisheries Service’s new regulations for recreational fishermen. It is my understanding the Federal Government has passed these new regulations to limit the number of red snappers recreational fishermen can catch from 4 to 2, and reducing the snapper season by 3 months.

I strongly ask you and the other Commissioners to vote no on adopting these new regulations. The economic impact on the Panhandle will be devastating, and at this fragile economic time in our state, where the threat of recession looms, the charter boat industry can not afford a reduction in their fishing season.

There are over 180 for-hire (charter) fishing boats operating in Panama City and Destin. The charter fishing sector in these two cities alone carry 169,500 passengers each year, lending over $317 million in direct spending by visiting anglers, with a multiplier effect of over $632 million to the state. Such spending infuses $44 million in state and local taxes, and maintains over 13,100 jobs in the Northwest Florida region. Currently, our state is not in the position to lose any revenue, let alone, the revenue generated by recreational fishing-a result that is inevitable if these regulations are adopted.

This issue is critical to the livelihood of many businesses in the Panhandle and throughout the State of Florida. Thank you in advance for your consideration. I greatly appreciate your favorable support of the charter fishing and tourist industry in Northwest Florida.





Sincerely,



Don Gaetz

Cc: Mr. Brian Yablonski, Vice-Chair

Ms. Kathy Barco, Commissioner

Mr. Richard Corbett, Commissioner

Mr. Dwight Stephenson, Commissioner

Mr. Ronald Bergeron, Commissioner

Mr. Kenneth Wright, Commissioner

Pat,

Thanks for sharing. I would hope that the State of Florida would finally wake up and realize that the scientific data used to justify the deduction is crap. I would think that if the state goes their own way regarding the adoption of the regulations that it would send a wake up call to the NMFS and others.

John Brady
Panama City, Fl

Question: What impact do you see with the size limit reduction and quota reduction for the commercial fleet having on the GOM Red Snapper Stocks?

The Senator was on the Burnie Thompson show this morning. I sent Burnie an email describing the situation. If you listen in the morning, call him up and tell him. Burnie is a good voice to have.

The FFWC heard the message:
These sever reductions will kill the industry completely.
There are more Red Snapper in the Gulf than the assessment shows.

The state of Florida sez: No way.

Also handed back to Crabtree: Crabtree's idea of total federal control of charterboats even in State waters. Not so fast, there, said the FWC Commissioners.

heh heh

MUCH more to come............

It was Great to see Patrick and the PCB gang at this meeting.

http://myfwc.com/whatsnew/08/statewide/News_08_X_SnapperRegs.htm

February 7, 2008
Contact: Lee Schlesinger, 850-487-0554

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) on Thursday approved changes to management rules for red snapper harvested in Gulf of Mexico state waters. The FWC also approved new rules that will require all commercial and recreational anglers fishing for any Gulf reef fish species to use circle hooks, dehooking devices and venting tools.

These new rules are similar to recently implemented red snapper regulations in Gulf federal waters that are intended to end overfishing of red snapper in the Gulf and reduce release mortality of Gulf reef fish.

The new rules reduce the daily recreational bag limit for red snapper from four fish to two fish per person and establish a zero daily bag limit for captains and crew of for-hire vessels in all Gulf waters off Florida’s coast.

No change will be made to the April 15 through Oct. 31 Gulf recreational red snapper harvest season in state waters. However, new federal rules establish a June 1 through Sept. 30 recreational harvest season in Gulf federal waters adjacent to Florida waters.

Other new FWC rules reduce the minimum size for commercially harvested red snapper in the Gulf and for imported red snapper from 15 to 13 inches total length, and reduce the daily commercial bag and trip limit for red snapper harvested in Gulf state waters off Florida from four fish to two fish daily per person.

The new rules also require fishers on all vessels in the Gulf reef fish fishery to possess and use certain gear, including non-stainless steel circle hooks that must be possessed aboard a vessel and used to harvest any Gulf reef fish when natural baits are used. A circle hook is a fishing hook designed and manufactured so that the point is turned perpendicularly back to the shank to form a generally circular or oval shape.

At least one dehooking device is required as well and must be used to remove hooks embedded in Gulf reef fish with minimum damage. The dehooking device must be constructed to allow the hook to be secured and the barb shielded without re-engaging during the removal process. It must be blunt and all edges rounded, and it must be of a size appropriate to secure the range of hook sizes and styles used in the Gulf reef fish fishery.

At least one venting tool is also required and must be used to deflate the swimbladders of Gulf reef fish to help release the fish with minimum damage. This tool must be a sharpened, hollow instrument, such as a hypodermic syringe with the plunger removed or a 16-gauge needle fixed to a hollow wooden dowel. A tool such as a knife or an ice-pick may not be used. The venting tool must be inserted into the fish at a 45-degree angle approximately 1 to 2 inches from the base of the pectoral fin and be inserted just deep enough to release the gases so that the fish may be released with minimum damage.

“Today’s action will help to improve Gulf red snapper populations while maintaining the sport fishing season that benefits several North Florida fishing communities,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto.
FWC’s new red snapper rules take effect on April 1. The rules requiring circle hooks, dehooking devices and venting tools for all reef fish species take effect on June 1.

I just recieved this from Orange Beach Fish Ass.

"QUOTE"
Dear OBFA Members,

Vernon Minton just called me and said that Florida has just voted to leave their red snapper season April 15-Oct. 31, 2 fish bag limit and no captain and crew. I spoke with Roy Crabtree day before yesterday and he stated that if Florida and Texas did not close state waters our current 4 month season for this year will have to be reduced further. Based on last years data they have estimated we were over quota 1 million pounds. We are at a little less than 2.5 million pound quota now so this decision could take an additional 1 to 2 months off our already published season. Roy told me that the reduction will take place this year!
Bobbi

http://www.spearfishingplanet.com/showthread.php?t=4928

"QUOTE"

The FFWC heard the message:
These sever reductions will kill the industry completely.
There are more Red Snapper in the Gulf than the assessment shows.

The state of Florida sez: No way.

Also handed back to Crabtree: Crabtree's idea of total federal control of charterboats even in State waters. Not so fast, there, said the FWC Commissioners.

heh heh

MUCH more to come............

It was Great to see Patrick and the PCB gang at this meeting.


Denny,

What are your thoughts regarding Roy's remarks since Florida decided to not follow the closure recommendations. Seems like he has his own agenda and would like nothing better than to control both Federal and State water.