from:FS

If this passes, grouper fishing would be closed for SEVEN months in the Atlantic south of the Dade County line, both for recs and commercials, this will include all Atlantic waters around the Marq. and Tortugas.
I was told the reason for this amendment was "the busy season in the keys is during the winter," hence the reason for allowing harvest during the winter/spring.

I have nothing against regulations when they are sensible, but this is crazy, for those that like to fish for groupers in the Keys on the Atlantic side, make sure you voice your opinion to the council.

Combine this with only being able to harvest 1 red grouper and no harvest from Feb 15 - Mar 15 in the Gulf and it is that much worse........

The motion is below in italics:

MOTION #11: THE COUNCIL APPROVED THE FOLLOWING ALTERNATIVE: SOUTH OF THE MIAMI-DADE/MONROE COUNTY LINE, NO FISHING FOR AND/OR POSSESSION OF THE FOLLOWING SPECIES WOULD BE ALLOWED DURING JUNE 1-DEC. 31: GAG, BLACK GROUPER, RED GROUPER, SCAMP, RED HIND, ROCK HIND, YELLOWMOUTH GROUPER, TIGER GROUPER, YELLOWFIN GROUPER, GRAYSBY, AND CONEY. NO FISHING FOR AND/OR POSSESSION OF GAG WOULD BE ALLOWED YEAR–ROUND SOUTH OF THE MIAMI-DADE/MONROE COUNTY LINE. FISHING FOR BLACK GROUPER, RED GROUPER, SCAMP, RED HIND, ROCK HIND, YELLOWMOUTH GROUPER, TIGER GROUPER, YELLOWFIN GROUPER, GRAYSBY, AND CONEY WOULD BE ALLOWED JAN.1-MAY 31 FOR MONROE COUNTY. (Note: This would apply to both the recreational and commercial fisheries.)

wow they sould pass an amendment stopping all boat traffic from jan- dec on all state waters. and then pass another from dec-nov for fed waters. Because the boat is hurting the water by driving over it. Could make for un happy seas.

Just my thoughts :rolleyes:

It also says that gag would be closed year round. Who in the hell writes this bullshit?:crazy::mad::banghead:

They throw that B.S. out there, then close it for 4 months and act like they are doing you a favor. Join the FRA!

It ain't BS . It is all pat of the South Alantic Fishery Meetings we have posted and begged folks to get involved in for months now.

All I can tell you is that is just the tip of the ice berg headed our way on the East Coast. They are also looking a complete closure of the red snapper fishery as well.


Everyone needs to get involved and write every elected official, SAFMC member, secreatary of commerce etc. and Join the FRA if you have not already done so.

wow they sould pass an amendment stopping all boat traffic from jan- dec on all state waters. and then pass another from dec-nov for fed waters. Because the boat is hurting the water by driving over it. Could make for un happy seas.

Just my thoughts :rolleyes:

Only boats with props, they split the water molecules into many new smaller molecules which will grow up to be bigger molecules and eventually flood the USA.

I really only thought that they had these types of regulations, or proposed regulations in the gulf. I have to get more involved in the FRA I guess.

Keyskiller, thank you for the heads up about the possible new regulations. But I am not surprised, it is all part of the County, State, and Federal governments plan to turn the Keys into The Florida Keys Park. You can go there and spend all your money on a vacation but you are not allowed to touch anything. You can catch some big fish off a charter boat but you cannot keep it. You can pay to go out on a charter dive boat, but you cannot touch anything. You can have a speargun here but not there. The best quoate is , even some of the enforcement people are not clear on the regulations so make a copy and keep it on your boat. Oh yea, don't forget the "Safety Road Check" at mm103 where the county has a road block set up to "check your vehicles". Kind of like the Keys Blockade in 1982 with the formation of the Conch Republic. Remember?
haujohnson

Wow that is absolutely NUTS !!! :crazy: Dude I understand if they limit the commercial pressure but the Recreational does not put a dent on this fishery. What is the take numbers about 5% of the overall take. Its not fair that we get grouped (NO PUN) into this with the commercial guys. I dont see how they could pass this, this would kill a ton of businesses in the keys. Where would the restaurants get the grouper to feed the Thousands that come to the keys for fresh fish. I dont see the commercial guys letting this happen but we need a REC voice also.

Where would the restaurants get the grouper to feed the Thousands that come to the keys for fresh fish.
imported catfish aka:fla keys black grouper