New grouper regs for 2009! Read'm and weap!

[wevans]

Grouper limits set to make gradual Change

Here's the latest on 2009 recreational grouper regulations from the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. Because of nuances in rule-making authority, a few things will change sometime in the spring or summer:

• Beginning Jan. 1, the bag limit will be five grouper total, but only two gag and one red.

• Closed season on all grouper from Feb. 15 to March 15. Closed season on gag from Feb. 1 through March 31.

• New closed area called "The Edges'' that roughly follows the 40-fathom break. Closed from Jan. 1 through April 30. Check http://www.gulfcouncil.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for map.

• Sometime in spring to summer, the overall grouper bag limit will drop from five to four total, but the red grouper bag limit will rise from one to two. That will make two gag, two red and four of all species.

• The Feb. 1 to March 31 closed season will then extend to red and true black grouper as well as gag, though regulators probably cannot institute this rule until 2010.

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/outdoors ... 771432.ece" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Tom Keels]

[Jumptrout51]

An agency run by dumb and dumber.

[Littoral]

An agency run by dumb and dumber.

Government. Why can't we figure out that government just doesn't work?

[Dubble Trubble]

http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/grouper/B- ... 08_rev.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



It is amazing how much money and paperwork our government bureaucracy can waste and still say almost nothing.


Dubble

[RHTFISH]

http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/grouper/B- ... 08_rev.pdf



It is amazing how much money and paperwork our government bureaucracy can waste and still say almost nothing.


Dubble

I used to think those documents were written by village idiots...but surely there's not that many villages! Our tax dollars at work....kinda gives one a warm fuzzy feeling....the knd one gets just before
throwing up!

[Mook!]

Say what you want about the government, but this will boost the economy by creating a whole new industry of 'charter attorney'

[jmlockwood]

Say what you want about the government, but this will boost the economy by creating a whole new industry of 'charter attorney'

You know...this is actually a pretty interesting thought. Being a recreational fisherman and a lawyer/lobbyist, I have always wondered to what extent the recreational fisherman is represented during the rulemaking proceedings on this subject matter (bag limits/size regs/etc). I know that there are environmental organizations out there with sizeable memberships which routinely retain lawyers and lobbyists to advance their agendas during these proceedings. However, I cannot say that I have heard too much about the every-day recreational guy (which would routinely post on these boards) that has his voice heard at these proceedings.

Are we at their mercy or does the government just keep winning the battle?

[silverking]

Coastal Conservation Association Florida has been representing recreational angler interests for 25+ years and CCA National has a well-used legal fund to fight such battles on the council levels and across the country. Check out the organization's track record of success stories at joincca.org and ccaflorida.com

In fact, we have one of the local members (and NFGCFC officers) who generously donated his time and effort on the Gulf grouper advisory committee to speak out for recreational interests. Unfortunately the outcome was not favorable this time but hopefully things will even out as assessments are calculated better and stocks recover.

If you're mad about this situation, I'd highly encourage you to join CCA. Your $25 membership will help fund advocacy efforts, add strength in numbers and ensure the future of the sport.

[Reel Addiction]

It's fishing socialism!!!! Another fine example of government thinking they know what's best for us. Remember that whan you go to the polls this fall.