New regulations may affect fishing for grouper
Local fishermen might lose rights to fish for grouper and they are upset. A new regulation is set for a vote that will eliminate their ability to fish for grouper for four months out of the year (January thorugh April). The new regulation will also affect the bag limits for the rest of the year.
This regulation will affect charter captains, recreational anglers, and tourism. There is a meeting at Scotty's Landing tonight at 5:30 to voice your concerns. Read more here.
This regulation will affect charter captains, recreational anglers, and tourism. There is a meeting at Scotty's Landing tonight at 5:30 to voice your concerns. Read more here.
posted by Tom Falco at 7:00 AM
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5 Comments:
True, but should read "Over-fishing may affect fishing for grouper."
Considering that pleasure boating has come to a nearly 40% decline in Miami/Bahamas/Keys both pleasure and commercial (maybe not as much there), that is justification in the decrease of fishing which would lead to a decrease in catching.
Any polls out there as to the 2006, 2007 and to-date 2008 pleasure/commercial boating volume statistics with this outrageous fuel hike over the past few years? If we want to preserve fish, just increase the fuel.
I'm sure every marine related business has absorbed a destructive decline in business. This is due to fuel my friends!
Although FWC would not have 2008 statistics in yet, I'm sure they can see in black and white the significant decrease in catching, of every specie.
I dive and can tell you there are many, many fewer grouper today then when I moved here in 1997. Years ago I represented a commercial fisherman who had to get a snapper/grouper license, and it was extremely difficult. Even back then (1998) the government was trying to find a way to help revitalize the grouper population. If the commercial fishermen are making sacrifices to keep the population in existence, it only seems reasonable recreational fishermen should, too. Otherwise, they'll be fished out.
Grouper and many other fish species come close to shore, in less than 15/20 feet to mate and deposit their eggs once a year. For example: South of Andros Island in the Bahamas, millions and millions of various types of groupers would come together to mate until man figured out their mating patterns. Now, there are no grouper South of Andros Island.
Florida lobsters do the same and that is why you have a closed season several months a year so the lobster can mate and return to deep water before we kill the lobster off too. A closed season guarantees this reproductive cycle.
YAY! YAY!
I used to recreationally spearfish in the 80s and 90s. Grouper were "plentiful" -whatever that means.
When I paused one fine day, and took notice of how clever they are, I stopped trying to hunt them.
Groupers are territorial. They keep a home in the reef, under a rock, or human refuse. They hang out there in their home often making it easy to corner them. If you harass them enough they will swim off, but always return home to the same spot. So after a while, recognizing their sensibility, I just started to visit them (without weapons) and instead brought snacks. Guess what happened?
Long story short, Groupers will become very affectionate, and also become tame, actually wanting you pet them. It is the most liberating feeling. A fish bonding with a human! I will never ever ever kill another sentient, feeling, living creature in my life. I learned.
It may be extreme to many of you, but I guess I thankfully woke up.
I still hate the ticks and fleas and mosquitos though! Conundrum.
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