FWC Seatrout

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kneeknocker
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FWC Seatrout

Post by kneeknocker »

CCA FLORIDA
GRASSROOTS ALERT!

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION LOOKS TO EXPAND THE COMMERCIAL SEATROUT FISHERY

SUPPORT YOUR SEATROUT

Several changes in the management of spotted Seatrout will be considered by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at their upcoming meeting November 16th at Key Largo Grande Resort & Beach Club in Key Largo, Florida. Several of the management changes for Seatrout being proposed by the FWC would surely result in a significant increase in the commercial take of Seatrout, in spite of the tremendous economic value and numbers of jobs that the Seatrout fishery provides for our state.
FWC is recommending a two month extension on the three month commercial fishery along with opening a five month fishery in the northwest zone during the winter months. They are also considering a by-catch allowance of 75 fish for incidental catch, adding a beach and haul seine to the allowable gear, and are considering increasing the boat limit from 75 fish to 150 fish if there are two licensed commercial fishermen in the boat. Ultimately, the members of CCA Florida, while encouraged by the removal of recreational closed months, believe that the FWC would serve the citizens of Florida much better by making no changes to the current management scheme for Seatrout than it would be by making any of the changes currently on the table.

The tremendous economic and recreational value of Seatrout has been recognized by the states of Texas, South Carolina and Alabama, who have accorded Seatrout “no-sale” status, and by the state of Georgia, which imposes the same size and bag limits on commercial fishermen that apply to the general public.

CCA Florida recently sent a letter of concern over Seatrout to the Chair of the Commission Kathy Barco. To read the full letter, please see attachment.

Contact the Commissioners by clicking http://www.myfwc.com/contact/staff-cont ... issioners/
and tell them NO to these proposed changes in the Seatrout fishery:
1. Adding new commercial gear in the form of beach and haul seines with a “by-catch” of 75 fish;
2. Changing the commercial vessel limit from 75 to 150 fish if two licensed fishermen are on board;
3. Adding colder months to the commercial season which would allow exploitation by cast nets, and;
4. Year round commercial sale of Seatrout.



For more information please contact –
Trip Aukeman Deputy Director Advocacy CCA Florida at (850)224-3474 or email taukeman@ccaflorida.org
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Reel Cowboy
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Re: FWC Seatrout

Post by Reel Cowboy »

sent
In the words of the great Doc Holliday, "I'll be your huckleberry"
Steve Stinson
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Re: FWC Seatrout

Post by Steve Stinson »

Will send a letter from the NFGFC.

Here we are only weighing in one person's legal limit of trout, and at times only weighing slot fish in our tournaments to conserve the resource. Evidently, they don't have the same goals in mind.

Anyone know if there is an effort underway to give the seatrout gamefish status?

- Steve Stinson
Steve Stinson
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Re: FWC Seatrout

Post by Steve Stinson »

Any NFGFC member who feels passionate about this issue and would like to contribute specific talking points to the letter - feel free to email them to me at Steve@msmincorp.com. I will review all comments, but will keep the letter length at 2 pages.


Thanks -
Steve Stinson
silverking
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Re: FWC Seatrout

Post by silverking »

Steve Stinson wrote:Will send a letter from the NFGFC.

Here we are only weighing in one person's legal limit of trout, and at times only weighing slot fish in our tournaments to conserve the resource. Evidently, they don't have the same goals in mind.

Anyone know if there is an effort underway to give the seatrout gamefish status?

- Steve Stinson

Gamefish status (No sale) has always been a goal of CCA Florida, but there hasn't been enough traction on the part of the FWC commissioners to make it happen, Steve. Maybe this discussion will be the impetus for No Sale. Based on the current proposals and climate, it doesn't seem likely. A letter from the club and other input from recreational anglers would be a great start, however.
kneeknocker
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Re: FWC Seatrout

Post by kneeknocker »

Thank you Steve that would be great. CCA would like to see no sale of Seatrout but as Dave mentioned there is no traction. We are now trying to stop the small commercial fishery from turning into a large directed commercial fishery all around the state. I know everyone has sent letters in already but the FWC has put new items on the table since your last letter. Please let them know how you feel and tell them no on seine nets, by catch fishery, year long sale, and etc. Thank you all for your support.
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