FISHERMEN'S ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION
WELCOMES YOU TO OUR WEBSITE
fishermensadvocacy.org
 fishermensadvocacy.com

you can write us: info@fishermensadvocacy.org

 

 

 

July 14, 2008
Dr. Tom McIlwain
Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council
2203 N. Lois Ave.
Suite 1100
Tampa, FL  33607

Dear Chairman McIlwain,

The Fishermen’s Advocacy Organization (FAO) strongly supports IFQ management for the commercial grouper and tilefish fisheries.  Scrolling through our website will reveal the roots of our organization. FAO began as a small group of commercial grouper fishermen united in opposition to an industry sponsored buyout plan aimed at reducing overcapacity in the commercial grouper fishery. One of our primary objections with that plan was its initial “limited entry” phase, or “grouper endorsement”, that required a minimum catch history to stay in the fishery. This buyout plan would have squeezed out the small scale fisherman, in hopes that the mid size and large operations might fish the full year. FAO strongly opposed this tactic.

However, FAO recognized that the objective of reducing capacity in the commercial fleet has merit. The question for us became ‘how can the managers reduce overcapacity without evicting the existing small-scale producers?’

On October 15, 2004 the Council initiated a control date regarding the eligibility of catch histories in the commercial grouper fishery to protect the historical fishermen by discouraging new entry into the fishery. In Amendment 29 the Gulf Council is considering two effort management approaches to rationalize effort and reduce overcapacity, i.e.; limited entry endorsements, and IFQs. The IFQ option is the Councils preferred alternative.

FAO recognizes that IFQs are the most effective means to manage effort, and protect fishermen who meet the control date eligibility. The IFQ option is FAO’s preferred alternative, for the reasons just stated.

Confusion abounds over the 8,000 lb. annual average catch definition for “substantially fished”. The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires that Gulf multi-species IFQs be decided by a majority of those who have “substantially fished” for the species for which the IFQ is being considered. A good yardstick for defining this is a level of harvest that will, on its own, sustain a business in this fishery. An annual harvest of 8000 lb. equates to 670 lb. a month. It would be nearly impossible to sustain an offshore fishing business on this level of catch. That is why we recommend that those who are considered “substantially fished” land at least 8,000 lb. /year. Thresholds lower than 8,000 lb. would require weighted voting to attain the intent of the Magnuson Act.

According to the Council, the permits with catch histories that satisfy the 8,000 pound threshold account for 89% of the commercial harvest. The permits below this threshold account for only 11% of the catch.

FAO wants to clarify that the 8,000 pound criteria only determines who can vote in the IFQ referendum and has no relationship to those who will receive quota share. IFQs will be allocated to all the permits that have catch histories during the qualifying period, including those who landed less than an annual average of 8,000 pounds. Unlike the other alternative to reduce overcapacity, limited entry endorsements, the IFQ will not kick out the small operators. Hence, FAO prefers the IFQ alternative.

The IFQ system has similarities with the stone crab and spiny lobster trap tag program. The trap tag program limits individuals’ traps, and allows for voluntary consolidation. Those who now wish to enter and fish in these fisheries must purchase the trap tags from an existing fisherman. Effort remains stable.

The grouper IFQ will limit an individuals’ catch, and allow for consolidation that is voluntary. It will allow newcomers to enter the fishery by purchasing an existing fisherman’s’ catch share, without adding capacity to the fleet. With IFQs, the management problems associated with latent effort will vanish.

IFQs will provide an exit strategy for some, and a quantifiable entry point for others who wish to enter the fishery and develop their business plan. IFQs will allocate increases and decreases in annual catch limits equitably and proportionately among permit-holders. IFQs will allow stone crabbers, charter operators, mackerel fishermen, and others to continue to fish for groupers in their slow seasons, based on their grouper catch histories.

IFQs will not allow effort to grow unchecked, which is good for our fishery.

Most fishermen recognize that consolidation is inevitable and want to maintain their access. However, most amendments to fishery management plans include options intended to re-allocate resources away from those who have traditionally held commercial harvest privileges.  The Council should be commended for recognizing the deficiencies of the other alternatives, and for supporting IFQs based on its superior ability to achieve the amendment 29 objectives of reducing overcapacity and rationalizing effort in the grouper fishery. 

FAO asks that the Council;

1-    Stand firm on the existing October 15, 2004 control date.

2-    Support the 8,000 lb. definition of ‘substantially fished’.

3-    Send the Grouper IFQ to referendum promptly. 

Thank you,

Bill Tucker, President, Fishermen’s Advocacy Organization

www.Fishermensadvocacy.org

P.O.Box 222

Dunedin, Fl. 34697     

 

  

 
 
Sep. 17, 2007
 
Dear Gulf Council,

Because the purpose of Fishermen's Advocacy Organization to ‘advocate for the interests of commercial fishermen’, we have closely examined the alternatives proposed in the recently released Amendment 29.  FAO has taken a position to support the IFQ alternative and believe that IFQ is the only alternative that will accomplish the effort management goal of ‘rationalizing effort and reducing overcapacity’ on a voluntary basis.

 The point of this letter is to explain why we support IFQ. The directors of FAO are very protective of the fishing rights of all fishermen and are wary of alternatives that that discriminate against small-scale operations, and that encourage derby fishing or allow for redistribution of historical market share. Furthermore, IFQ makes sense from an accountability standpoint, conservation standpoint, and the unique ability of IFQ to achieve the objectives of management. IFQ will allow the multi-species and small-scale producers to remain in the fishing business, under the same rules as those fishermen who target groupers exclusively.

Reading and understanding Amendment 29 is crucial for making an informed decision and we are encouraging all participants to become educated in the alternatives.  Smaller scale fishermen need to realize that a properly developed and administered IFQ plan is the option that will allow their future participation in the fishery.  The other alternatives either evict them outright, or set the stage to evict them eventually. Fishermen's Advocacy Organization strongly believes that IFQ is in the best interests of fishermen, both large-scale and small-scale.

Members of our organization should accept that quota cuts are on the horizon and that unless we take steps to equitably bear the weight of the cuts and increase the profit margins on the fish we are allowed to catch we can be assured of tough times indeed. We firmly believe that fishermen who have an annual quota and 12 months to catch that quota can maximize their profits and can make informed, long range financial decisions

Latent Permits, latent effort.
Latent permits are ones that are not often used and lack a substantial catch history. There is fear that these permits that have little or no history of catch will be used in the future to catch fish, thereby adding effort.

 Latent effort is the potential effort associated with a permit that is not yet realized. Latent effort exists in every permit. Latent effort is feared because unrestrained additional effort is what causes closed seasons. The argument goes that if we revoke the permits with lower catch histories, we will remove the possibility for those folks to catch more fish in the future. The unspoken part of that argument is that “the remaining fishermen will be able to catch the fish that would have been caught by the fishermen who are evicted”, and therefore the problem is never fixed. It is simply perpetrated by fewer people. History proves that this method doesn’t work, yet those evicted are never reimbursed. A better plan (IFQ) manages the effort of every permit.

Latent permits are often removed by a process called “limited entry”.

Limited Entry
Fishermen’s Advocacy Organization does not support limited entry because limited entry revokes permits from fishermen. The basic premise of limited entry is to take out the smaller players so the larger players can fish longer. This will not achieve the objectives of Amendment 29. Limited entry does not solve derby behavior, nor remove derby incentives. We tried limited entry in the red snapper fishery years ago, it didn’t work. The vessels that remained simply added effort, and the quota closures quickly resumed. 
Buyout

Buyouts have a history of squandering money, and not working. Buyouts are like limited entry. Where limited entry evicts fishermen involuntarily, buyouts pay fishermen to leave. The fishermen who remain have to pay back the loan. The big question is ‘what are you buying’? The answer is nebulous- “you are paying for people to leave, then the more effort you add, the more you benefit”. This is called a derby incentive. These buyouts generally promote derby behavior, and add incentives to exploit the latent effort that exists in every permit. The “Industry Buyout” was extremely unpopular for several reasons-

1) it was devised outside the council process, and as unpopular as the Council process may seem, it is designed to elicit the input of fishermen in a public forum. Because the buyout bypasses the council and instead goes directly through congress, the process of stakeholder input is more likely to be corrupted by insiders and individuals who are politically connected.

2) The Buyout plan was designed with limited entry as a crucial element. The first action of the buyout attempted to evict the small producers for the benefit of the larger producers.

3) The buyout used a weighted voting scheme to enact limited entry, essentially a bullying tactic to push out small producers.

4) The buyout never linked the landing history of a permit with the vessels that actually caught the history. Consequently, many permits were transferred prior to the referendum, in anticipation of some “free money”. The buyout included this huge loophole, allowing top producing boats to continue to fish as hard as ever (with different permits), while at the same time allowing clever owners to sell the landing history from the old permits(now transferred), pocketing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Traditional buyouts will not rationalize effort, and will promote derby incentives in the grouper fishery. We would like to see the “Buyout” alternative in Amendment 29 classified as “considered, but rejected” in future drafts.

An accountable buyout plan could be developed, if it were conducted within the framework of IFQ management.  But because IFQ lends itself to voluntary consolidation, buyouts become unnecessary, and excessively costly. The time to debate the merits of a buyback is after an effective IFQ system is established, not before.  

Permit Endorsement
Endorsements will not remove derby incentives, nor will they rationalize effort.

Permit endorsements are basically a form of limited entry. Endorsements would not revoke a reef fish permit, but add an endorsement to an existing permit as a condition to land grouper. Like limited entry, fishermen will need to have a landing history in excess of some threshold in order to qualify. Be aware that this threshold will have to be set high enough, and eliminate enough competition, to be able to ensure that the larger producers will be able to fish year round. This will remove small-scale operators.

Gear endorsements are another type of permit endorsement. For example, a longline gear endorsement would allow only certain boats to use that gear. Bandit endorsements would restrict the use of bandit gear. Same applies with rod and reel. Gear endorsements would make some fishermen more equal than others, by enacting differing standards for different fishermen. Some fishermen will have privileges that others do not.

Longline endorsements, if allowed to happen, would command big dollars on the open market. Anyone paying these big bucks to buy an endorsement would have a huge incentive to add effort in order to pay for this large investment. These incentives are not rational. Since endorsements do not manage effort, they do not address the objectives of Amendment 29. This is reason enough to reject endorsements. 

Days at Sea
The days at sea proposal is not popular among fishermen. It would limit the number of days fishermen are allowed to fish. “Days at sea” management uses “days” as a crude proxy for landings. This method, however, does not rationalize effort. In fact, the incentive to overcapitalize is accelerated because fishermen will adjust their operation to make the most of the limited days that they are allowed to fish. To combat this effect, fishery managers would be forced to reduce the number of days they allow fishermen to fish. This is not popular among fishermen in New England. Fishermen’s Advocacy Organization realizes it would not be popular in the South either.
 
IFQ- (also known as Limited Access Privilege Program),
IFQs are designed to decrease overcapitalization in a voluntary manner. Fishermen who choose to remain in the fishery may do so. Those who choose to exit will have the opportunity to sell their fishing privilege to other fishermen looking to expand. The total catch will continue to be limited by the commercial quota, as it is currently. Yet each fisherman will begin the season with guaranteed access to a defined quantity of fish, and may land them in the time frame he chooses, without having to race against fellow fishermen for the same fish. This dedicated share of the commercial quota is a known quantity that can be taken to the bank, quite literally. In addition, fishermen will have the flexibility to adjust this quantity either up or down according to their business plan. Some fishermen will cash out and others will buy in. Some will expand and some will contract their participation in the fishery. Many grouper fishermen will choose to trade some grouper shares for existing red snapper shares so they can keep what they are actually catching. This will reduce some of the waste that currently takes place in the reef fish complex.

Speaking of waste, IFQs will be the best means of allocating the under 20” red groupers should the size limit eventually be reduced. In the absence of IFQs, a reduction of the red grouper size limit would result in a derby of epic proportions, one that would rival the red snapper derby, (the derby IFQs recently solved). And we don’t want that kind of derby in the grouper fishery.  

Conclusion
A properly developed and administered IFQ is the best alternative for satisfying the effort management goals of Amendment 29. Additionally, IFQ management will allow the continued participation of small operators who would otherwise be evicted from the grouper fishery (through limited entry, endorsements, buyouts, etc). For the reasons stated above, Fishermen's Advocacy Organization supports IFQ for the grouper fishery.  
 
Sincerely,
 

Bill Tucker                       Steve Maisel

President                         Vice-President
 
 

 

SEPTEMBER 19TH, 2007

 


NOTICE:
The Board of Directors would like to take this opportunity to thank Martin Fisher for developing, and maintaining, our website over the last two years.

At this time Martin is relinquishing the reigns as web master.

We will continue to bring you current and pertinent information at this site. Please check back often for updates.
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SEPTEMBER 2nd,  2007


The NAPLES DAILY NEWS, publishes an Opinion/Editorial which explains the role of the Magnuson Stevens Act in fisheries management, AND excoriates the Gulf Council and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for the MISMANAGEMENT of grouper in the Gulf of Mexico.


 

click on SPEECH for Op-ED

Fishermen's Advocacy Organization to hold general meeting on September 4th.

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    July 4th, 2007

If you like getting the offshore weather forecast for the Gulf of Mexico, you MUST read the following and write at  least one letter for every member of your family!!!! The Coast Guard is considering deleting  the high seas forecast from it's list of responsibilities. We CAN NOT let this happen. 

"THE U.S. COAST GUARD HAS ISSUED A FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE 
SOLICITING PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE NEED TO CONTINUE PROVIDING HIGH 
FREQUENCY /HF/ RADIO BROADCASTS OF WEATHER FORECASTS AND 
WARNINGS VIA RADIOFACSIMILE...VOICE AND SITOR/NBDP. A COPY OF  
THE NOTICE MAY BE FOUND AT (click the following):
 
HTTP://DMSES.DOT.GOV/DOCIMAGES/P101/466958.PDF


A COPY OF THE NOTICE MAY ALSO BE OBTAINED VIA NATIONAL WEATHER 
SERVICE FTPMAIL E-MAIL SERVER. FOR THE FTPMAIL HELP FILE SEND AN 
E-MAIL TO  FTPMAIL@WEATHER.NOAA.GOV  WITH THE WORD...HELP... IN 
THE BODY OF THE MESSAGE. THE DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS IS AUGUST 24 
2007"



follows is the link for Offshore Forecast:



June 26th 2007

REEF FISH NEWS

We took your concerns, suggestions, and questions to the informal evening discussion about reef fish at the last Council meeting in New Orleans. After the Council completed the days agenda, about twenty or so chairs were placed in a circle in the back of that same conference room. This informal meeting was a stark contrast to the days rigid deliberations of the formal Council. Dr. Crabtree and several of his staff, OLE personnel, recreational and commercial fishermen, and other interested people were in attendance. We discussed many of the commonly asked questions regarding VMS, trip declarations, IFQ 3-Hour notifications, and some of the issues we face in the reef fish fishery. It was apparent that while VMS and IFQs are new in the Gulf of Mexico, NMFS has grown very active in easing the shift into these programs. They have acknowledged that the transition has been confusing in certain instances, and that the regulatory language was ambiguous in some places and contradictory in others. Thanks to fishermen, they are well aware of these oversights and they are working to fix them. As evidence of their work to make these systems user friendly, and to answer many of the questions we have all asked, please read the packet dated 6/22/07 that was recently sent out to permit holders. This mailing includes 1) the updated June 2007 IFQ Users Manual, 2) Southeast Fishery Bulletin #FB07-025 'IFQ Useful Information', and 3) VMS Frequently Asked Questions. This mailing is very informative, and answers some of the "HOW" and "WHY" questions.(If you didn't receive one, call NMFS at 727-824-5305 or go to their website at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov and read it there.) We suggest that you keep these packets on board for quick reference while offshore, and for your crew to read and understand. No doubt, just reading this info will spawn some new questions and suggestions on how to improve these systems. E-mail info@fishermensadvocacy.org with your questions and we'll make sure they get a good hearing at NMFS.

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MAY 29th 2007




Bill Tucker, President of Fishermen's Advocacy Organization will be representing us at the next Gulf Council Meeting, June 4-7, 2007, in New Orleans. We are requesting that you, our member(s) weigh in on some issues that are/will be effecting us as reef fish fishermen.

Here are some issues/questions we're all dealing with: 

  • "How do I change or amend a 3 hr notice?"
  • "Do I need to make a VMS declaration when  I  move the boat for fuel/ice ?"
  • What is proper procedure for off-loading red snapper at multiple locations?"

Please address all correspondence  to: info@fishermensadvocacy.org and Bill will carry your thoughts/suggestions to NMFS and the Council with him.We are looking for questions and suggestions and comments. Says Bill, our faithful president, "If we're going to have these 'bits' in our mouths, we shouldn't be compelled to break teeth in the process. This request is for our members to be heard, and an opportunity for them to suggest ideas for improvement." Thanks.

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FEBRUARY 5TH 2007

The NMFS announces new website for Magnuson Stevens Act Re-authorization. Everything you wanted to know and didn't about the new language in MSA.

 

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DECEMBER 17TH

OUR APOLOGIES FOR THE ABSENCE OF NEWS AND UPDATES. JUST LIKE THE LITTLE FRIEND JUST ABOVE, WE, LIKE YOU WERE LOOKING FOR OUR SERVER. IT WAS DOWN FOR A WEEK OR SO. AND NOW THE WEBMASTER IS OUT FISHING !!!!!!  HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL. LOOK FOR UPDATES REGULARLY IN THE NEW YEAR TO COME. BRAND NEW MSA FACTS AND FIGURES, SNAPPER IFQ, VMS, ETC., ETC.. DON'T BE A SCROOGE! CONTINUE THE FIGHT AGAINST THE BUY OUT!!!!

NOVEMBER 28TH

WE’VE BEEN OFF THE NET FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. IF YOU HAVE AOL, OUR SITE WILL LOAD USING .ORG, BUT NOT, .COM. HOPEFULLY THIS ISSUE WILL BERESOLVED SOON. OUR SERVER WENT DOWN, SORRY FOR OUR ABSENCE.
RED SNAPPER FISHERY WILL OPEN DEC 1ST AT NOON AND CLOSE DECEMBER 26TH AT NOON. 77% OF THE SNAPPER QUOTA HAS BEEN LANDED WITH SOME DEALER REPORTS NOT YET IN.
ANNOUNCEMENT FOR VMS COMPLIANCE DATE CHANGE IS EMMINENT. WE ANTICIPATE THAT THE NMFS WILL FOLLOW THE COUNCIL’S WISHES AND EXTEND THE DATE TO MARCH 7TH, 2007.

NOVEMBER 17TH EVENING

A VERY INTERESTING ARTICLE (HEAVY SCIENCE) ON RED SNAPPER, THEIR GROWTH RATES, AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT THERE ARE DIFFERENT GENETIC STRAINS FROM FLORIDA TO TEXAS !!!! WHICH COULD INDICATE DIFFERENT MANAGEMENT FOR THE EASTERN GULF !!




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NOVEMBER 17TH

THE NMFS FINALLY CREATES BALANCE BETWEEN THE COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL FISHERMEN WITH GROUPER  "SEASONAL" SPAWNING CLOSURE FOR THE  RECREATIONAL SECTOR  FEB 15TH ~ MARCH 15TH !!!!!!!



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NOVEMBER 16TH

 

CLARIFICATION FOR PERMIT HOLDERS WHO GARAGE THEIR BOATS OR KEEP THEM UNDER COVERED SHEDS AND HOW TO HANDLE VMS REPORTING !!!!!.....FOLLOWING COMES FROM SERO WEBSITE FAQ FOR VMS:   

What if I store my vessel in a covered marina or other structure under which the signal may be interrupted?

       VMS units will store position signals during times when signals are interrupted. These stored positions will be transmitted to OLE once the signal is restored. Thus, allowing OLE to determine whether the vessel was being stored or the VMS unit was illegally powered down.

OLE will fully investigate the cause of any signal interruptions before determining whether a violation has occurred.                                                               

                                    

GREAT NEWS FROM THRANE AND THRANE RE: WARRANTY FOR THEIR VMS MACHINE !!!!!!!


THRANE & THRANE, HAS, AS OF TODAY, EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTY TO TWO YEARS INSTEAD OF ONE,  FOR ALL COMPONENTS INCLUDING  PARTS AND LABOR. ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THIS COMPANY WHICH CONTINUES TO MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR THE BELEAGUERED REEF FISH FISHERS.

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NOVEMBER 16TH

CATCH THIS COUNCIL NEWS FLASH FROM THE ST. PETE TIMES

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LIVE FROM GALVESTON COUNCIL MEETING
NOV 15TH

WE ASKED FOR MARCH 15TH AND THE COUNCIL MADE A MOTION IN THE LAST 15 MINUTES TO HAVE NMFS CHANGE THE COMPLIANCE DATE TO 90 DAYS AFTER  DECEMBER 7TH, WHICH IS SOMETIME IN THE SECOND WEEK OF MARCH.  HOWEVER, FUNDS FOR REIMBURSEMENT ARE NOT GUARANTEED TO BE AVAILABLE IN THE SPRING, SO ORDER ASAP TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE  $3095.00 THE NMFS HAS PROVIDED FOR US. REMEMBER THIS: THE COUNCIL DID NOT PROVIDE FOR REIMBURSEMENT IN 18A....THIS  IS  OUR NMFS  DOING THE RIGHT THING !!!!!!!!!

REGARDING VMS


DURING PUBLIC TESTIMONY, DR. CRABTREE WANTED TO REMIND REEF FISH PERMIT HOLDERS THAT HE IS RETICENT TO CHANGE THE COMPLIANCE DATE FOR HAVING VMS ON THE BOAT BECAUSE THE REIMBURSEMENT MONEY MAY BE USED UP IF WE WAIT TOO LONG TO PURCHASE. STAND BY FOR UPDATE ON COMPLIANCE DATE.


COUNCIL IS  SETTING IN MOTION THE GROUNDWORK TO TAKE  GAG, AMBERJACK,  AND GREY TRIGGER FISH TO SCOPING FOR PUBLIC COMMENT SOMETIME IN EARLY 2007. VMS VENDERS, THRANE & THRANE AND BOATRACS ARE HERE WITH THEIR VMS UNITS ON DISPLAY. TODAY IS OPEN COMMENT PERIOD DURING FULL COUNCIL WITH ANY WORK ON REEF FISH TO FOLLOW TOMORROW.




ENVIRONMENTALIST AND SNAPPER FISHERMAN JOIN HANDS AND WRITE OP-ED
FOR PENSACOLA NEWSPAPER


BUSH, CABINET OK TORTUGAS FISHING BAN, CRIST DISSENTS
GOTTA SEE THE DOC AGAIN!


THE VIEW FROM NAPLES ON THE NEW CLOSED AREA



~~~~~~~~

NOVEMBER 12TH

THE ST. PETE TIMES IS CONTINUING ( a fairly recent development) TO COVER THE GROUPER/SNAPPER ISSUE WITHOUT NEGATIVE BIAS TOWARDS COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN. IN FACT MOST OF THE TIME WE ARE BEING TREATED FAIRLY AS CONSCIENTIOUS STAKEHOLDERS IN THE FISHERY. WE COMMEND THE NEW APPROACH TO COMMERCIAL FISHING AND THE PLIGHT OF THE COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN BY MR. NOHLGREN AND OTHERS AT THE ST. PETE TIMES.

CATCH THIS STORY ~ GROUPER IN YOUR BOAT NEXT YEAR (NOT!)



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NOVEMBER 10

MORE DOOM AND GLOOM FROM PEW AND THE NATIONAL  SCIENCE FOUNDATION. SOME INDUSTRY REPRESENTATIVES RESPOND.
CLICK ON  DOC DOOM

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NOVEMBER 9TH

CORTEZ LONGLINER LOST. ALL HANDS RECOVERED INCLUDING DOG.
CLICK ON USCG HELO FOR STORY.

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NOVEMBER 8TH


HERE IS THE SCOPING DOCUMENT THE COUNCIL WILL USE TO FORM ACTIONS NEEDED TO TERMINATE THE OVERFISHING OF GAG GROUPER.  THIS WILL MOST LIKELY OCCUR AT  THE  UPCOMING MEETING IN GALVESTON   NOV 13 ~ 17. WE NEED TO BE EXTREMELY VIGILANT REGARDING THIS ISSUE !!!

if, after clicking on the gag you get a window that says "password," just click on it's red box and the document will load


 



Click here for upcoming Full Council Agenda

Click here for committee agendas

Click on the Council's Logo for their website

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NOVEMBER 5TH

JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE TO FISH FOREVER


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NOVEMBER 3RD

BOATRACS ANNOUNCES EXTENSION OF COMPLIANCE DATE FOR VMS TO JANUARY 15TH 2007. AT THIS TIME THE NMFS CAN NOT OFFICIALLY CONFIRM THE NEW COMPLIANE DATE. HOPEFULLY NOTICE WILL APPEAR IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER NEXT WEEK. ALSO,  PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT ALTHOUGH THERE IS ENOUGH MONEY IN THE REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR ALL GULF REEF PERMIT HOLDERS AT PRESENT, IF OTHER VMS PROGRAMS COME ON-LINE SOME OF THESE FUNDS MAY DISAPPEAR.


HOT OFF THE PRESSES FROM RUSKIN !!!
CLICK ON THE SNAPPER



MORE WONDERFUL MAINSTREAM NEWS

CLICK HERE FOR DOOM AND GLOOM

 
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NOVEMBER 2ND

BLUE TUNA
ENVIRONMENTALS SUE THE NMFS OVER BLUEFIN TUNA BY-CATCH



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NOVEMBER 1ST

THE NMFS ANNOUNCES (OCT 31ST) THE REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR GULF REEF FISH PERMITTED VESSELS. READ THE FULL TEXT AT THE LINK:


$ FOR VMS


ALSO OF NOTE !!!

Gulf of Mexico Dead Zone Begins in Midwest
CLICK HERE FOR STORY:

¥
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  ~~~~~~~~~~~ HAPPY HALLOWEEN  ~~~~~~~~~~~

OCTOBER 30TH

FIRST WORD FROM THRANE & THRANE IS THAT YOU MAY USE THE EMAIL FUNCTIONS ON YOUR NEWLY INSTALLED VMS, BEFORE THE COMPLIANCE DATE. WHENEVER THAT MAY BE. OF COURSE THERE WILL BE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH EMAILING. HOPE TO HAVE THOSE NUMBERS AVAILABLE HERE IN THE EVENING TOMORROW. GOOD LUCK AND GOOD FISHING.


HERE IS AN INTERESTING ARTICLE IF YOU LIKE. CLICK FOR LINK

NMFS OBSERVER CHEATS NMFS !!

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OCTOBER 28TH

IF YOU ORDER YOUR VMS NOW:

·  MONTHLY REPORTING CHARGES ONLY COMMMENCE ON THE DAY OF COMPLIANCE. WHICH MEANS YOU CAN PURCHASE AND INSTALL YOUR UNIT WITHOUT INCURRING MONTHLY REPORTING CHARGES. WE ARE STILL NOT SURE IF WE CAN UTILIZE THE TWO WAY COMMUNICATION FEATURES (WITH A CHARGE FOR THIS OF COURSE) IN THE MEANTIME. STAY TUNED FOR AN UPDATE ON THAT EARLY NEXT WEEK.

·  DECEMBER 7TH, 2006, IS THE CURRENT COMPLIANCE DATE FOR THE PROGRAM. IN SEPTEMBER WE ASKED NOAA FISHERIES SERVICE TO POSTPONE THE COMPLIANCE DATE UNTIL MARCH 15TH 2007. STAY TUNED FOR POSSIBLE CHANGES TO THE CUREENT DATE.

·  IF YOU ORDER A TRANE AND THRANE NOW, Y0U CAN BE ASSURED OF THEIR INSTANT REBATE PROGRAM, AND YOUR OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES SHOULD BE A MINIMUM OF $455.00, DEPENDING ON WHAT YOU CAN WORK OUT WITH YOUR DEALER REGARDING INSTALLATION. NATURE COAST MARINE ELECTRONICS IS OFFERING 3 FREE HRS OF INSTALL/TRAVEL TIME PER VESSEL BECAUSE THEY'RE TRYING TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF THE STING OUT OF THIS VMS THING FOR US. YOU CAN FIND THEM AT:     http://www.ncmarineelectronics.com

·  YOU  MIGHT FIND ANSWERS FOR ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS ON THE NOAA WEBSITE OR YOU CAN CALL JASON RUETER @ 727-824-5350.      http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/vms/vms.htm

 


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OCTOBER 27TH

THE NOAA FISHERIES SERVICE ANNOUNCES REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR VMS !!!!!!!!!!

Yes the Thrane & Thrane "rumors" are TRUE!!!  Today the OLE of the NOAA Fisheries Service, confirms that the reimbursement program is funded and viable. According to Dr. Crabtree, there is, at this moment, enough funds available to remburse all the active reef fish boats/permits in the Gulf. The actual rule will publish in the Federal Register on Halloween,  Tuesday October 31st. Some details are available at the SERO website. Just click on the following:

http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/pubann/pa06/pdfs/FB06-050.pdf

OF NOTE !!!!

There is currently an injunction/lawsuit, under review by a federal Judge in Tampa, that would prevent the NOAA Fisheries Service from implementing the VMS program. Remember that the NOAA Fisheries Service has been working on this reimbursement program for months.  The announcement of this program was delayed due to confirmation of funding. There is no relationship between the  reimbursement  and this lawsuit.


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OCTOBER 24TH

LAWSUIT FILED IN TAMPA AGAINST VMS!!!!!!!!!!
Click here for St. Pete Times: http://www.sptimes.com/2006/10/24/Hillsborough/Lawsuit_says_no_to_bo.shtml
Click here for Bradenton Herald:http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/business/15832013.htm

ALSO:

BIG BATTLE COMING AT NEXT COUNCIL MEETING. REMEMEBER THEY DROPPED THE RED SNAPPER HOT POTATO IN THE LAPS OF THE NMFS WITCH IS NOW IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING AN INTERIM RULE. READ WHAT THEY'RE SAYING IN THE PRESS ABOUT RED SNAPPER IN HOUSTON, NEW ORLEANS AND PTS WEST:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/outdoors/4278465.html


OCTOBER 20TH

BIG VMS ANNOUNCEMENT
BY THRANE & THRANE !!!!!!!!!

Thrane & Thrane announces “Instant” Reimbursement Program for SE Reef Fisherman Rebate Amount Approved By NMFS of $3095. Plus, Thrane & Thrane Will Pay For Your Least Cost Shipping (meaning that you can subtract the cost of the shipping from the unit price of $3595.00) if shipped before November  30th, 2006. This boils down to actual out of pocket expense per boat of approximately $455.00 (based on a shipping cost of $45.00) for the VMS equipment.

Thrane & Thane will fund the reimbursement amount at time of purchase and subtract the NMFS reimbursement amount from the total purchase amount. The Sailor Gold unit costs $3595.00. The “Instant” Reimbursement Program is only available through a certified Thrane & Thrane VMS Dealer. You can read about and see the unit online at: 
                                          CLICK HERE


Furthermore, as a gesture of commiseration over VMS to the industry, Nature Coast Marine Electronics will provide for FREE, three hours of install and/or travel time per vessel for Thrane & Thrane units ordered through them. Get together with a few buddies and consolidate the travel time amongst you and save individually on these costs. Any additional install or travel time above 3 hours will be billed at $65.00/hr.

Also, Mr. Ronald Lockerby, Director of Business Applications Department of Thrane & Thrane stated to Nature Coast Electronics that the minimum monthly subscription rates (to satisfy the NMFS for the VMS program) are estimated to be $45/month for the Sailor Gold. Additional emailing expenses are expected to run a mere 28 cents ($.28) for 256 characters or about 3 lines of text.

Nature Coast Marine Electronics is owned by Judy Morse and Tim Mortello. Judy has been selling marine electronics for 26 years in the Tampa Bay area. Tim has been doing install, repair and tech work for over 25 years on the Gulf Coast. About a year ago they strode out on their own and founded Nature Coast Marine Electronics.

Judy recommends that boat owners be aware that there is a mountain of paperwork associated with this purchase and activation of the equipment. Applications and forms can be found online at Thrane and Thrane, or Judy is willing to help wade through it on an individual basis. You can contact her @ 1-352-232-5129 Monday thru Friday from 8am - 5 pm.

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SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2006

FISHERMEN'S ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION REQUESTS THAT THE NMFS DELAY IMPLEMENTATION OF VMS PROGRAM  UNTIL MARCH 15TH, 2007


FOLLOWS ARE TWO LETTERS TO CHIEF OF ENFORCEMENT FOR THE NMFS MR. DALE JONES OUTLINING THE PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS WITH IMPLEMENTING VMS AND HIS RESPONSE.


September 15, 2006

Mr. Dale Jones

Chief of Enforcement

NOAA Fisheries

 

Dear Dale,

 

Thank you for taking time with me today on the phone to discuss issues pertaining to the VMS program and type approval for the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish fishery.

 

Here are some of the points of particular concern, which Fishermen’s Advocacy Organization and many permit holders have regarding the VMS program.

 

  • Type approval for Thrane and Thrane Sailor Gold and Boatracs was published in the Federal Register today. Both of these units will cost the fishers approximately $3500.00 installed.
  • However, type approval for Thrane and Thrane Silver had been promised by the NMFS, with attendant costs of $1750.00 installed. This unit was NOT type approved. It is our understanding that the language in the regs only requires that fishers accomplish notice to the NMFS, not that  communication be accomplished through the VMS electronics.
  • Furthermore Sky Mate, and now Faria have applied for type approval and MAY receive type approval within the next month or so.

 

Dilemmas:

 

  • Only  60 business days remain for the fleet to comply with the new regs. This represents at least 4000 install hours if you expect 4/hrs/install including travel time. We don’t have enough time to get this done given the parameters that a full list of Type approvals will remain undetermined for the next month or so. Fishers can NOT make a qualified business decision based on the info available.
  • If, as you stated today, reimbursement takes place, the NMFS will only fund up to the $ amount of the least expensive unit available. Therefore if a fisher was to purchase a Trane and Trane Gold today, and the NMFS type approves the Silver and or Skymate ($1650.00) two weeks from now,  the fishers who purchase in a timely manner will be penalized for their prudence.. We aren’t speaking of a new unit being type approved 8 months from now. We are talking about the inception of a program in the nest two months.
  • The Gulf Council received testimony from NMFS when they included VMS in Amendment 18a, that the expenditure range that fishers could expect was from $1600 up to $2900. With the type approval we received today there is no option available less than $3500. I am sure the Council would not be comfortable with this, especially given the time frame for compliance.
  • Out of the pool of some 1000 permit holders, at least 65% have vessels that are on trailers or have open wheelhouses and in general would have inhospitable environments for these expensive units, which include monitors and keyboards.

 

Solutions:

 

  • Change the compliance date for the VMS program to March 15th 2007. This date corresponds to the opening of the grouper season after a 4 week closure. This extension of the compliance date will give the NMFS time to test Skymate, Faria, and to type approve Thrane and Thrane Silver.
  • As soon as possible type approve Thrane and Thrane Silver for this fishery to ameliorate the above fore mentioned difficulties and create a common sense alternative for many fishers.
  • Make a determination NOW that Skymate, Faria, and Thrane and Thrane Silver will NOT be type approved so that we can get on with this and be in compliance by December 7th, 2007.

Dale. I hope to hear from you by the end of next week regarding these issues.

 

Thanking you in advance for your interest and support to finding solutions that will ease the implementation of the VMS program in the GOM reef fish fishery.

 

      Martin Fisher
      Fishermen’s Advocacy Organization
      C.C: Dr. Roy Crabtree NMFS, Roy Williams FWCC, Jason Rueter NMFS


Friday September 22, 2006

NMFS RESPONDS IN RECORD TIME AND PAVES THE WAY FOR WORRY FREE INSTALLATION AND POSSIBLE REIMBURSEMENT OF THE ONLY TWO UNITS CURRENTLY TYPE APPROVED WITHOUT PENALTY TO THOSE WHO PURCHASE NOW!!!! AND OTHER ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ASKED.


what follows next is the response from Mr. Dale Jones, Chief of Enforcement, NOAA, OLE:


September 22, 2006


Mr. Fisher,
Pursuant to your inquiry on this matter via our telephone conversation, your email messages, and after consultation with others I'm forwarding the following points as responses to the questions, comments and observations that you have provided.  I hope that they will resolve most if not all of the concerns that you have raised.   We recognize that this process presents challenges that are not all immediately defined however we are committed to working through them and hope that, as has been the case with numerous FMPs, the option of VMS deployment accommodates the availability for more opportunity to fish.  Let us know as you have further questions. As always, we hope that you will be able to resolve inquiries as you work with Roy Crabtree and Hal Robbins in the Region but we will happy to assist further as we can.  Thanks,
Dale

Information in regard to questions / inquiry regarding Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish VMS requirements:

  • The rule requires declaration.  It does not say how the declarations will be made.  Our assessment and determination is  that the best and most appropriate way to perform this function is through the use of the VMS system. We have therefore determined that our requirement for new units includes this capability. They must be capable of declaring via the VMS.
  • In recognition of the fact that there are already VMS units on some vessels that do not have this function, we have established an IVR (telephone) system.  This system has only basic capabilities for data reporting and is limited by telephone accessibility.  It is not our intention nor in the best interest of the fisheries to perpetuate a system with limited capabilities.  It is essentially a "stop gap" measure and we do not wish to further limit potential  capabilities by type approving a VMS unit that is not capable to  meet the declaration requirement and force the need to extend the ongoing use of IVR, a limited and restrictive solution.
  • It is not certain, but is possible that we will be able to reimburse fishermen for the purchase of their units. This will be dependent upon '07 appropriations. If they purchase a unit after the requirement is established, our policy has been, when funding is available, to reimburse for the cost of the unit that is the least expensive but which meets the capability requirements and is type approved at the time of the purchase.  If type approvals change later and a less expensive unit becomes approved after their purchase, it will not lower the eligibility of the fishermen to be reimbursed for what was spent.
  • There are a number of installation technicians available to install the units between now and the date of requirement through a dealer network.  The installation time frames can be met and are  not an impediment.
  • Though a preponderance of vessels in this fishery may have open wheel houses or may not have fully enclosed cabins, it is our understanding that the units are made / designed to withstand at sea weather conditions and tolerate water and salt spray similar to most modern high tech electronic navigation, boating and fishing equipment.   Installation should not require a fully enclosed cabin or wheel house.
  • Testimony reportedly suggested that units would be between $1,600 and $3,500.  The current estimates are indicative that the units type approved are available at the $3,500 figure (the top end of what was provided) and others  may eventually be approved at a lesser cost.  There is no commitment made  that the least figure projected is the price they will come in at.  The requirements and market dictate the price.
  • The suggestions to "make an immediate decision" to approve or not type approve certain units immediately should not affect or  influence the ability to move ahead.  This decision is within the dynamic of the type approval process.  We will not know what the reimbursement levels will be until sometime after the 2007 appropriation process is complete.  That will have as much of an  impact on the ultimate cost to the fishermen as the type approval process.  However, if the decision is made to extend the date of compliance beyond December 5th, it will not negatively impact the VMS related decision.
 Dale Jones, Chief of Enfocement, NMFS

 ~~~~~~~


PERMIT BULLETIN!!!!   AS OF OCTOBER 6TH RENEWELS WILL CHANGE. PLEASE GO TO THIS LINK AND READ
http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/pubann/pa06/pdfs/FB06-039.pdf
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NOTICE!!!!!!!

TURTLE AND SAWFISH RELEASE GEAR MUST BE ON YOUR VESSEL THIS COMING SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1ST. AFTER THIS DATE YOU MAY NO LONGER HAVE THE RECREATIONAL BAG LIMIT FOR ANY SPECIES OF REEF FISH, INCLUDING RED SNAPPER WHEN YOU ARE COMMERCIAL FISHING FOR OTHER SPECIES AND HAVE COMMERCIAL QUANTITIES ON BOARD.

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/E6-7587.htm
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NOTICE FOR TRAP BOATS RE: VMS

VMS MUST BE INSTALLED ON TRAP BOATS AFTER FEBRUARY 7,
2007 IF THEY RETAIN THEIR REEF FISH PERMITS AND CONTINUE
TO FISH FOR REEF FISH WITH OTHER GEAR

http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/E6-7587.htm
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NEW LETTER IN YOUR MAILBOX

By now you either have received or will receive a letter from the Gulf Council advising you to obtain your landings history.In the letter you are instructed to contact Mike Judge at the Logbook program. We've been told that if you are interested in obtaining your permit's landing history please submit a written request to the NMFS permit office instead of the Southeast Science Center. Click here for the appropriate form:

http://www.sefsc.noaa.gov/PDFdocs/catch_request_form2.pdf

If you purchased a permit (boat)  from someone they must sign the affidavit to release the info. If the permit had multiple owners in recent history, you will only be able to get the landings for the periods for which you can get previous owners who will sign the affidavit.

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 MAGNUSON STEVENS UPDATE

Congress is currently undergoing a revision and reauthorization of the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.  The Senate approved their version under the leadership of Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) in June. The House of Representatives, under the leadership of Richard Pombo (R-CA), Chairman, Resources Committee, is still working on their version.

The Senate process was inclusive and garnered input and support from commercial and recreational fishermen, and conservation groups.  The final bill S.2012, passed without opposition.

The House of Representatives’ version, H.R. 5018, has some good revisions, but also has major rollbacks from existing law and does not have as much support from stakeholders as the Senate version. Specifically, the House bill rolls back existing law by:

·       Adds anti-free market processor quotas to the Pacific Whiting Fishery creating a dangerous precedent for our Gulf of Mexico fisheries. Creates a new exemption to the 10-year rebuilding rule for depleted fish stocks possibly allowing fishery managers to extend rebuilding plans indefinitely

·       Undermines the National Environmental Policy Act by giving the Fishery Management Councils complete control of creating environmental impact statements instead of the National Marine Fishery Service which is more accountable to the public and has the expertise to write the documents

·       In addition, H.R. 5018 does not implement many of the recommendations from the final report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy including strong standards for individual fishing quotas that protect long-time participants in the fishery and set conservation goals to ensure that individual quotas increase as fish stocks recover.  The House bill will not come up for a vote until after the November 7 election so there is still time to call your Representative and ask them to vote for amendments to fix H.R. 5018 and if the bill is not fixed ask them to vote against the bill. Congress updates the Magnuson Act only every 10 years so they must do it right or we will all have to pay the consequences for some time.  Call your Representative today.  To find out who represents you and get their contact information go to www.house.gov or www.congress.org.

         ~~~~~~~


NMFS ANNOUNCES TYPE APPROVAL FOR VMS
 Sept 15th, 2006

CLICK HERE: http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/E6-15340.htm

This is a HUGE disappointment. If we read the rule properly, the Sailor SILVER by Thrane and Thrane will not be one we can use (it was the unit without monitor) which would have let smaller boat operators get into the program for $1750.00. Also SKYMATE has NOT been approved YET!!! John Pinkerton informed us today that Skymate and a new company Faria, MAY also be type approved within a month. Of course this creates havoc with our individual business plans while trying to comply with the Dec 7th deadline. To that end we have written  Dale Jones, Chief of Enforcement, NMFS, and the Southeast Regional Directer and asked them to change the compliance date to March 15th, 2007, until all these issues can be sorted out.
   
The rub is this: according to Dale Jones, reimbursement will be capped at whatever unit costs the least. If we rush out now and purchase the most expensive units which are the only ones currently type approved, and then two weeks from now they approve Skymate, which costs a little more than half, we will only be reimbursed at the lowest expenditure level. You can call 1-800-427-2300 for further information and ask for Mr. Pinkerton's office. Be sure to identify yourself as a GULF of MEXICO Reef fish permit holder.

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GREAT NEWS REGARDING VMS FOR US FISHER FOLK!!!!

There has been some confusion as to who gets billed when a vessel nears a "restricted" area. Extra billing ("pinging") results  because the VMS is programmed to transmit the vessel's position  4 times an hour instead of once an hour when the vessel gets within 1 nautical mile of these areas. The following statement came from NOAA's VMS program's enforcement division this afternoon, September 6th, 2006: (OLE is the Office of Law Enforcement)

Our National Program Manager has provided the following statement: “OLE pays for all OLE initiated communications.  This includes increased polling, messages originating from OLE servers, and specialized queries.  The fishers pay for all normal polling, declarations, and personal communications.”

The significance of this policy shift will alleviate some of the financial burden that fishermen would have borne when fishing near and seeking shelter near "closed" or "restricted" areas like: Pulley Ridge, the 20 and 50 Fathom Long Line Boundaries, Tortugas Sanctuary, Riley's Hump, Madison Swanson, Steamboat Lumps, etc. etc. Every time your VMS "reports" your position it sends a certain amount of "characters." Each vessel's "basic" subscription to the VMS service will include enough characters to satisfy the 24/7/365 reports required by the NOAA. Prices go up from there if you decide to have email capabilities or weather and other  reports  via a terminal option which will be available as part of your VMS.

More News: Hopefully we will have type verification (which makes and models we can buy) by the end of next week. Also, info packets regarding the VMS program provided by the NOAA, should be in the mailboxes of all Gulf Reef Fish Permit holders by the end of September. In the meantime you can go to this link for NOAA'S Southeast Region:

       http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/
For specific FAQ about Amendment 18A click on:
revised.pdf

For specific INFO about VMS click on:
Frequently%20Asked%20Questions.pdf

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AMENDMENT 18A CORRECTION !!!!!!!!

THE COMPLIANCE DATE FOR REEF FISH VESSELS TO HAVE ONBOARD THE RELEASE DEVICES FOR TURTLES AND SAWFISH HAS BEEN REVISED DUE TO AN ERROR IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER. THE OLD DATE WAS SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2006. THE NEW DATE IS OCTOBER 1ST, 2006. THIS CHANGE RELATES TO RELEASE GEAR ONLY. THE COMPLIANCE DATE FOR VMS REMAINS DEC 7TH, 2006.

Click here to open in a new window.

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VMS UPDATE AUGUST25TH

CERTIFICATION FOR THE TYPE OF UNITS WE MAY USE HAS BEEN DELAYED. EXPECT NOTICE FROM NMFS OR CHECK BACK HERE THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 4TH. ALSO, THE NMFS ENFORCEMENT DIVISION EXPECTS TO BE SENDING OUT A FULL "PACKET" BY THE END OF SEPTEMBER THAT WILL CONTAIN DETAILS FOR EVERYTHING WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THIS NEW SYSTEM. THIS PACKET WILL BE THE VMS BIBLE AND WILL CONTAIN EVERYTHING WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE SYSTEM ETC., ETC.

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COUNCIL LAST DAY @ BATON ROUGE

GULF COUNCIL DROPS THE BALL ON AMENDMENT 27/14. COUNCIL DELAYS ACTION TO REDUCE SHRIMP BY-CATCH OF RED SNAPPER, REDUCE THE DIRECTED RED SNAPPER TAC OR IMPLEMENT ANY FURTHER ACTIONS FOR RECREATIONAL OR COMMERCIAL FISHING FOR RED SNAPPER IN THE GULF OF MEXICO UNTIL 2007. THIS ISSUE NOW BECOMES A RED HOT POTATO  IN THE LAP OF THE NMFS~~~DR. CRABTREE PROMISES INTERIM RULE  TO PUT NEW TAC AND REGS INTO PLACE BY JANUARY 1, 2007!!!!!!!! THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND BEARS CONTINUED CLOSE SCRUTINY!!

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CHARLIE CHRIST, FLORIDA'S ATTORNEY GENERAL, CALLS FOR  U.S. CONGRESSMAN C.W. "BILL" YOUNG TO ABDANDON
GROUPER BUYOUT!!!!!  
AUGUST 7TH ~ 2006

"Attorney General Charlie Crist, a recreational fisherman himself, urged Young to dump the buyout. It "would harm small fishing operators while creating no benefit to the species," Crist wrote." sptimes article 8-7-06

READ IT HERE:
Click to open in a new window.

BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THE SAINT PETERSBURG TIMES THAT RAN A 2 DAY~2PART COMPREHENSIVE EXPOSE ON GROUPER FISHING IN THE GULF OF MEXICO !!!

DAY ONE: Click to open in a new window.
DAY TWO: Click to open in a new window.


* VMS UPDATE: *

THE FINAL RULE FOR AMEMNDMENT 18A WAS PUBLISHED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 9TH, 2006

ANY VESSEL WITH A GULF OF MEXICO (GOM) REEF FISH PERMIT THAT WANTS TO FISH IN THE GOM OR RENEW THE PERMIT MUST HAVE A VMS PURCHASED, INSTALLED AND ACTIVATED BY DECEMBER 7TH, 2006. IN ORDER TO RENEW A GOM REEF FISH PERMIT AFTER DECEMBER 7TH, 2006,THE OWNER MUST PROVIDE, ALONG WITH THE APPLICATION, CERTIFICATION OF THE PURCHASE, INSTALLATION, AND ACTIVATION OF THE UNIT. THE VMS WILL BE REQUIRED TO BE ACTIVE 365 DAYS A YEAR. YOU MAY NOT INSTALL THE UNIT YOURSELF. IT MUST BE INSTALLED BY A CERTIFIED TECHNICHIAN. CHECK WITH YOUR FAVORITE MARINE ELECTRONICS SUPPLIER. THE UNIT WILL TRANSMIT THE LAT LONG OF THE VESSEL 24 TIMES A DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR.  THERE ARE EXCEPTIONS , WHICH YOU WILL FIND IN THE BODY OF THE FINAL RULE, AND PERHAPS IN SOON TO BE PUBLIUSHED  NMFS NEWSLETTERS  OR BULLETINS. 18a ALSO PROHIBITS, BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2006, THE POSSESSION OF REEF FISH BAG LIMITS WHEN COMMERCIAL QUANTIIES OF REEF FISH OR OTHER FISH ARE PRESENT ON THE VESSEL. NO MORE SNAPPER ON THE BOAT DURING CLOSED COMMERCIAL SNAPPER SEASON. 18A ALSO ESTABLISHES REQUIREMENTS FOR ON-BOARD TURTLE DE-HOOKING DEVICES. FOLLLOWING IS THE LINK FOR THE FINAL RULE IN THE FED REGISTER:

Click to open in a new window.


UNFORTUNATELY, THE ENFORCEMENT DIVISION OF NOAA FISHERIES HAS NOT PUBLISHED THE APPROVED LIST OF VMS DEVICES. THIS LIST WILL MOST LIKELY BE AVAILABLE IN 10DAYS TO TWO WEEKS. THERE MAY BE MONEY IN THE 2007 BUDGET FOR THE NMFS TO REIMBURSE PERMIT HOLDERS FOR THE EXPENSE OF THE VMS MACHINES. THE PACIFIC AND NORTHEAST REGIONS WERE APPROPRIATED 4.5 MIL $ OUT OF 2006 FISCAL YEAR WHICH ENDS NEXT MONTH. SOME MONEY MAY BE LEFT OVER AND APPLIED TO OUR REGIONAL NEEDS IN FISCAL 2007. THE APPROPRIATION FOR THE PACIFIC GUYS CAN'T BE USED BY US BECAU