Martinez Asks Regulators to Delay New Grouper Rules in Gulf
Posted: August 9th, 2005, 7:49 pm
Aug. 8, 2005
Martinez Asks Regulators to Delay New Red Grouper Rules in Gulf
The Associated Press
NAPLES, Fla. (AP) - Sen. Mel Martinez has asked federal regulators to delay new restrictions on fishing for red grouper, arguing that more evidence is needed to justify the rules.
Martinez, R-Fla., said in a July 29 letter to the fisheries regulators at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that the rules, set to take effect Tuesday, will "have a severe impact on Florida's recreational fishing industry and cost my state's economy."
The restrictions establish a closed season for red grouper in November and December in federal waters that start 10 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico and reduce the daily bag limit of the fish from two to one. Enacted on an emergency basis, the rules would be in effect for 180 days.
The new regulations came after NOAA data showed that recreational fisherman exceeded the red grouper quota in 2004 by 138 percent. NOAA biologists say the rules are needed to continue restoring the red grouper fishery, which has been in decline in the Gulf.
Fishermen dispute the data and say they will protest the decision at a meeting of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council this week in Fort Myers Beach. Options are being considered at the meeting for permanent red grouper rules.
"We don't think we did anything wrong and the feds are shutting us down," said Wright Taylor, president of the Naples chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association.
In his letter, Martinez asked that NOAA take a fresh look at how it collects recreational catch data and that regulators take into account evidence that there was less fishing in 2004 because of the busy hurricane season.
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Information from: Naples Daily News: http://www.naplesnews.com
Martinez Asks Regulators to Delay New Red Grouper Rules in Gulf
The Associated Press
NAPLES, Fla. (AP) - Sen. Mel Martinez has asked federal regulators to delay new restrictions on fishing for red grouper, arguing that more evidence is needed to justify the rules.
Martinez, R-Fla., said in a July 29 letter to the fisheries regulators at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that the rules, set to take effect Tuesday, will "have a severe impact on Florida's recreational fishing industry and cost my state's economy."
The restrictions establish a closed season for red grouper in November and December in federal waters that start 10 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico and reduce the daily bag limit of the fish from two to one. Enacted on an emergency basis, the rules would be in effect for 180 days.
The new regulations came after NOAA data showed that recreational fisherman exceeded the red grouper quota in 2004 by 138 percent. NOAA biologists say the rules are needed to continue restoring the red grouper fishery, which has been in decline in the Gulf.
Fishermen dispute the data and say they will protest the decision at a meeting of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council this week in Fort Myers Beach. Options are being considered at the meeting for permanent red grouper rules.
"We don't think we did anything wrong and the feds are shutting us down," said Wright Taylor, president of the Naples chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association.
In his letter, Martinez asked that NOAA take a fresh look at how it collects recreational catch data and that regulators take into account evidence that there was less fishing in 2004 because of the busy hurricane season.
---
Information from: Naples Daily News: http://www.naplesnews.com