Many fishermen have fought hard against Amendment 17A because it will result in huge closed fishing areas on the basis of flawed data. On its website the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council describes the amendment as a measure to “end overfishing for red snapper and rebuild the fishery, including a continued closure of the red snapper fishery, plus alternatives for area closures, Annual Catch Limits, and other management measures.”
It has been known that the Council planned to take final action on the amendment at the June meeting in Orlando and plenty of private citizens showed up to voice their opposition, to no avail. Three congressional aides and about 300 private citizens showed up to implore the Council NOT to impose 17A. The vote is in and the amendment has passed in Orlando on June 9, 2010.
The Council meetings are supposed to provide public input into fishing issues, but many fishermen think it was only for appearance.
One observer stated, “Sorry to hear about this. Sadly, very few government ‘hearings’ actually result in hearing anything -- they're mandated for ‘public input’ or wouldn't occur at all. The NGOs, divers and NOAA-paid propagandists always have the votes and can do as they please, which means more closures for their grant studies (that of course call for more closures). Insidious, to be sure.”
After the meeting, Florida Guides Association president, Capt. Pat Kelly commented, "The council members had their minds made up before the public comment even started. This is very disappointing that our own council members approved this at a time of major crises in the Gulf."
Denny O'Hern, Executive Director of the Fishing Rights Alliance said, this vote will result in closing “unprecedented amounts of prime fishing areas to fishermen.”
For more information on the Council meeting see the SAFMC news release by clicking here.
Author’s note: This article was published earlier with an older map of the proposed closed area. The closed area has been revised and is now smaller in size, including waters off Georgia and Florida only, not South Carolina as previously reported.
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Comments
Hmmm, interesting.
yes very intersting
Great update. Thanks for the info.
Good article. I think one thing that everyone should know are those that voted FOR 17A, so that come election time, they wont be able to squirm out this economic altering decision adding to the gulf situation and the space coast programs at risk
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