Posted by Warren on June 24, 2016, 9:52 am Edited by board administrator June 27, 2016, 4:49 pm
A group of Recreational Fishermen have been working tirelessly to untangle the trainwreck created by our federal government taking control over the Gulf of Mexico fisheries. Certain politicians have “gifted” the PUBLIC RESOURCE of Gulf Red Snapper to a handful of politically active (millionaire) Commercial Fishermen (many are their largest campaign contributors). In fact, 55 politically connected Commercial Fishermen have been gifted (with no fee) the catch rights to over three quarters of the entire commercial catch of Gulf Red snapper-- worth millions!!! No wonder these wealthy contributors have been called the Gulf’s “Sea Lords”!!!
It gets worse. Having seen how the Commercial Fishermen pulled this off, federally-licensed Charter Boat Operators have now maneuvered into a comparable political arrangement -- all at the direct expense of Recreational Fishermen.
Under this (completely closed) “quota system” Commercial Fishermen can catch Gulf red snapper 365 days per year with no daily catch limits. Meanwhile a Recreational Fishermen, fishing on his own boat, is allowed only a 9 day fishing season and may keep only 2 snapper per person per day. That is unless he pays hefty fees to fish on a federally licensed Charter Boat. If he pays the money to these political contributors, he can catch the same red snapper, at the same fishing spots, for 46 days per year! Smells fishy, huh? The net is simple . . . FOLLOW THE MONEY!
We have started a Facebook page which will support a literature piece that will be distributed at marinas, bait and tackle shops, retailers, etc.
WE NEED YOUR HELP. Please
1) Visit our Facebook page “What Happened to Our Fish?” and “LIKE” us.
2) Spread the word to your email tree, fishing friends, and Facebook friends so we can dramatically increase our LIKES.
As politicians see the number of concerned citizens, we can change their perspective. As an example - in my Congressional district, there are 5 (millionaire, heavily contributing) “Sea Lords” and 200 federally licensed Charter Boat operators -- but 96,160 licensed Recreational Fishermen. We pay our taxes too -- if we band together, our votes can make a difference!