Limitless Posted July 22, 2019 Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 Please read the article below from The Fishing Wire and consider contacting the Governor, your Congressional Representative, US Senator, and your state Representative and Senator to urge them to make sure that the US Comptroller General considers the dramatic impact of recreational versus commercial fishing on the economy of the state of Florida. Recent studies show that that the value of recreational fishing is almost 10 times greater than commercial fishing. Is It Finally Time to Re-Examine How We Divvy Up the Catch Between Recreational and Commercial Fishing? Today’s allocations are still based on data that is decades old Divvying up the total catch of a fish stock between recreational and commercial fisheries is arguably the most difficult job for federal fisheries managers. These allocations are generally set in percentages, as in 51 percent of the Gulf of Mexico red snapper stock is allocated to commercial fishing and 49 percent to recreational fishing. But these percentages are often based on catch data that is decades old. Even when updated data shows a reallocation may be needed to reflect current catch rates or maximize the cultural and economic value of a fishery, regional management councils are slow to use that data. Sometimes they reject efforts to reallocate a fishery because of political pressure or objections from the sector that stands to lose some of its historic allocation. Fortunately, recent policy advancements may support a fresh look at allocations. Here’s what happened. The Timeline 2014 The Commission on Saltwater Recreational Fishing Management—an expert panel of state and federal agency administrators, researchers, industry representatives, and economists that is also known as the Morris-Deal Commission—recommends in its landmark report that allocations should be examined and reconfigured “for the greatest benefit of the nation.” July 2016 NOAA Fisheries releases a “Fisheries Allocation Review Policy” that guides regional fishery management councils in determining how and when to examine allocations. Since the release of this document, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council have worked to develop criteria and timeframes by which allocations will be examined. December 31, 2018 President Trump signs the Modernizing Recreational Fisheries Management Act of 2018 (S. 1520), a bill that was developed with support from and in consultation with the TRCP, Coastal Conservation Association, American Sportfishing Association, Center for Sportfishing Policy, National Marine Manufacturers Association, Yamaha, Recreational Fishing Alliance, and many others. This bill requires the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico within one year to: Recommend criteria—including economic, ecological, conservation, and social factors—that could be used for allocating/reallocating fishing privileges in a mixed-use fishery. Identify sources of information that could reasonably support the use of the above criteria. Assess the budgetary requirements for performing periodic allocation decisions in both councils. Develop recommendations of procedures for allocation reviews and potential adjustments in allocation. The bill also requires the Comptroller General to consult with NOAA, the applicable Councils and their Science and Statistical Committees, applicable state fisheries management commissions, and the recreational, commercial, and charter fishing sectors in conducting the required study. The TRCP and its partners have worked with the Government Accountability Office and with the councils to help establish allocation criteria and ensure that future guidance documents include specific instructions for councils to help break the impasse on examining allocations. Soon, anglers may get even more of a fair shake, and we can all stop living in the past. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Troy Posted July 22, 2019 Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 As soon as some accountability comes to the REC side this can happen. The comms have it all activity lock stock and barrel for accountability via IFQ and monitoring. "Their smart and organized" The free Florida unenforced reef/endorsement for recs in place is a joke. Who wouldn't sign up for free even if they never participated in the reef fishery? That right there alone skews the results. I know guys with bass boats that have signed on and get sea sick if they can't see land. Now, they are counted as effort. You put a 100 dollar requirement to participate and harvest reef fish we might get an actual/ effort count. Right now it's a joke and there is not a single case of a rec operator being cited for not having the free reef endorsement that I know of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. Troy Posted July 23, 2019 Report Share Posted July 23, 2019 Read through this and it tells a real fish tale. https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/gulf-reef-fish-survey/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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