Florida grouper diggers have a chance Thursday (June 16) to vent their anger at a federal proposal that would slash red grouper recreational bag limits and even close down all non-commercial grouper fishing during prime months.

The controversial federal proposal will be discussed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at the Daytona Beach Hilton, 100 N. Atlantic Ave., and the public will be heard after the lunch break that day.

Although the state commission does not have direct jurisdiction over most of the red grouper fishing, virtually all of it is by anglers out of Florida. The state could urgently request the feds (National Marine Fisheries Service) to retain current laws. And it could refuse to adopt the cutbacks in state waters which extend out nine nautical miles on the west coast.

"We should have a turnout similar to our own Daytona 500 on this one," said FS Founder Karl Wickstrom. "The federal proposal is absolutely scandalous because the longliners and other big commercial vessels already take 80 percent of the red grouper catch. And claims of a 130 percent increase in recreational catches during '04 are highly suspect for a number of reasons."

The plan that cuts the family-level red grouper limit from two to one fish also would eliminate gag grouper fishing during closed months, virtually ruining recreational grouper fishing at its best times. And yet, commercial hauls would still be allowed during the non-commercial closure.

FS