Many of you have heard of all the mpa's in Florida and California. Now its happening to Texas and Louisiana. You may have heard about the flower Gardens banks National marine sactuary. Not that long ago they added stetson bank to that. As of now there are three protected areas (no spearfishing). They are looking to close many more areas, not only coral reefs but many oil rigs. Not only are they closing more areas they are thinking of making the already included flower gardens into no diving, or fishing. So our children might not be able to see these natural wonders.

These will be huge areas that we cant even pass through with a speargun on the boat.

What can you do you ask?
They are looking for public input. They want to know how we feel about this.

You can email them at fgbmanagementplan@noaa.gov

And show up for the public input Febuary 24 in Galveston, tx

The Council consists of 21 members: 16 non-governmental voting members and 5 governmental non-voting members. The 16 voting council seats represent a variety of regional interests and stakeholders, including: Recreational Diving, Diving Operations, Oil and Gas Industry, Conservation, Education, Research, Commercial Fishing, and Recreational Fishing.

NO ONE IS REPRESENTING US

http://flowergarden.noaa.gov/managem...ndary_exp.html


here is a link to the website. Just click around the website to find more info. The information I stated is what i got off there website and from a guy that was at the last public input. Feel free to inform me more on whats going on with this.

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www.texasbluewatersafaris.com
Www.speargun.com

Have you joined the FRA?

Actually there are others involved, I think Jlittle SP
And I know that there a folks from Tx who are present at FRA meetings.

Check out thefra.org

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Chris Grauer- "To protect, promote, and grow the sport of spearfishing" www.spearfishingplanet.com

Yes. I'm in the fra. Is jlittle on the committee for the flower gardens?

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www.texasbluewatersafaris.com
Www.speargun.com

Hey, sorry to stomp your thread with my vid, have the mods sticky your thread.

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Rok out
http://www.TheRokZone.com/
http://www.HellDivers.org/

I send money to the FRA every year; gladly, and will continue to do so. I hope to be in Galveston for the meeting, but since it's on a weekday, there is always a chance I won't be able to get away from work. I certainly submitted comments by email. Good job posting on the sites Keith.

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What's new, Normie?
Terrorists, Sam. They've taken over my stomach. They're demanding beer.

The FRA - Fishing Rights Alliance is about the only real voice for things like this. As the thread states, most of us in FL have been dealing with crazy regulations like this and just in case you are not aware but the State of Florida in our statutes state that it is a RIGHT to fish, not a privilege given to us by the Federal Government. We have a long road ahead to keep that right but only in numbers, showing sound science and playing the economic cards can stave off the "hidden agendas" of an out of control governmental agency!

If you want more info on the FRA go to their web site, a great place for info on how to fight governmental bureaucracy and you can also sign up as a member to assist with the fight! The link is: The FRA Fishing Rights Alliance and BTW - they are also a sponsor on this site.

Ultimately we need sound science and a sustainable fishery - not some tree hugging agenda that wants us to become a cow and eat grass and not touch any natural resource!