Recently one of the so called conservation organizations posted accolades to the FWC for the new trout rules. Trout rules that will in the end decimate the trout down to the juvenescence where once again, 12 inch trout could become the norm.
What the Floridasportfishingmagazine.com failed to take into consideration as well as the FWC is the concentration of trout in the summer on offshore deep grass flats that will most likely be decimated legally, to say nothing of the trout caught by illegal means, such as stop netting in the creeks that still runs rampant in some areas where law enforcement has been removed or was never there. Further, the removal of no fish dates to allow these fish to catch their breath will most likely reduce the population in general.
Recreational anglers were accustomed to, and generally agreed with the 2 months closure in the southern zone and one month in the northern zone. We believed the FWC did this for a definite reason. Were we mislead? We do not need the extra winter months to keep trout at the trout fisheries expense. Recreational anglers in general are in sympathy with the draconian rules put upon the commercial anglers by NOAA. But to throw them a bone in the form of increased spotted sea trout limits, will only help the cat food market.
Florida depends upon the tourist trade. Roughly ten percent of all tourists come to Florida to fish. Most of them come to fish for trout or grouper. Trout do not freeze well and must be consumed quickly. A glut of trout on the market will add a wonderful new catfood.
As keepers of our environmemnt, we are supposed to be managing the fisheries for the wise use of the resource. Not to appease a particular industry. It appears as if the FWC is taking lessons from NOAA. God help the fishery.
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