The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has bought into questionable, if not just plain bizarre data showing an unprecedented increase in the “estimated” recreational take of red grouper in 2004, a year when two major hurricanes unquestionably and drastically cut down the number of Gulf grouper trips taken.

NMFS proposes to lower the aggregate grouper bag limit to three fish, only one of which can be a red grouper. On top of that, they want to close the recreational red and gag grouper season for three months of the year. All of this while allowing commercial longliners to take red grouper with a 10,000-pound trip limit. You read that right. This is hardly an equitable solution.

CCA Florida and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) twisted arms to get NMFS to conduct three public hearings in Florida, and will also address this issue (with NMFS officials in attendance) at the FWC Commission meeting on June 16 th at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, 100 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach. Call (386) 254-8200 for meeting times.

The federal NMFS hearings will take place at 6:00 p.m. at the following locations, and recreational anglers are urged to attend.

Thursday, June 16 – Destin Community Center, 101 Stahlman Ave., Destin, FL

Tuesday, June 28 – Hilton Hotel, 5111 Tamiami Trail North, Naples, FL

Wednesday, June 29 – City of Madeira Beach, 300 Municipal Dr., Medeira Beach, FL

FS