Obama /Supports SUCK

[finchaser]

Recreational Fishing Alliance Contact: Jim Hutchinson, Jr. / 888-564-6732
For Immediate Release October 29, 2010

OBAMA ADMINISTRATION SET TO CLOSE ANOTHER FISHERY
"Fishery Tale of Fishery Management Is Destroying Our Industry"

(10/29/2010) - The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) was recently notified by NMFS' Southeast Regional Office that a 4,800-square mile fishing ban is on its way for South Atlantic anglers. A final rule to implement controversial Amendment 17A will likely be published in mid-November, but the U.S. Department of Commerce's announcement will ultimately establish a closed area extending from southern Georgia to Cape Canaveral, FL affecting angler harvest and possession of all snapper-grouper species.

The fishing closure affects areas with depths between 98 and 240 feet and is being implemented as part of the Amendment 17-A which indefinitely bans all bottom-fishing for both the commercial and recreational sectors. A blanket ban on red snapper harvest adopted as a temporary measure last year remains in effect in a 200-nautical mile zone off the entire Southeast coast.

According to the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA), the closure is based purely on flawed science, inaccurate harvest data and overly restrictive federal fisheries language written into the Magnuson Stevens Fisheries Management and Conservation Act. "There is no biological problem with this fishery," said RFA Executive Director Jim Donofrio, "this is a management and legislative problem, not a fishery issue."


While the Pallone bill had a Senate companion bill sponsored by Sen. Charles Schumer (S1255), efforts to find a Florida Senator to sponsor a companion piece to the Mica bill addressing red snapper closures were unsuccessful.

"This new proposed closure is evidence that the priority for the entire fishing industry must be fisheries reform and an overhaul of Magnuson," Donofrio said. "We need a law that allows for access, rebuilding and sustainability, which can all be achieved without complete closures, and we need to prioritize these efforts after the November 2 elections."

[rip316]

I am still studying and learning about all of this. All I can say is that we as recreational fishermen do have a say in what is going on. Wether or not our opinnions are being heard and taken seriously is another. Between looking at graphs and talking to some guys that have been fishing for 40 or 50 years it doesn't sound good.

[rockhopper]

Get rid of all the democrats, they suck.