Fishheadspin - 3/10/2010 9:51 AM
anyone that does not believe there is a real threat to sportfishing just do a google search...RED SNAPPER...as a life long saltwater fisherman and someone who goes down there 5-7 times a year, i will say this is real and a scary situation for fishing.
i am and have been a member of several florida forums and there is a real threat to all gulf fishing. The US government is using false/flawed data to evaluate fish stocks to set season and creel limits.
The federal government already forced the state of Fl to follow the same season for red snapper by threatening full closure if the state did not adopt the same regs. in state waters as in federal waters. Until last season, snapper season ran from April 15- October 31 and 2/person/day in state waters. Due to the potential complete closure by the federal government, Fl caved in and moved its season to the same as the fed season June 1- july 31.
There have been many other propositons lobbied and still being lobbied to close other gulf speices fishing also. 2 years ago a bill was shot down that would have completely closed all king mackeral fishing. it was a bill that that stated that striped marlin were nearly extinct in the gulf and wanted any and all fishing that may potentially harm the stripe marlin stock to be banned.
I could go on and on...Sportfishing is more than bass fishing. It may start in the gulf but if it continues, who says that Uncle Sam does come to Tn and say that bass fishing is hurting the snail darter stock and close bass fishing down too...
do your own research!!!!
Great forum site on the gulf...........
www.florida-offshore.com go to forums and fisheries issues.....