Fishing as we have known it in our lifetimes is going to end unless—just like healthcare—we get going and do something about it. The regulatory agencies that control our fisheries have not been willing so far to accept any scientific research that prove theirs incorrect. (They conveniently call data that’s not their own “not the best available data.”) The Panama City Boatmen Association (PCBA) has been working with these agencies for 20 years now (I’ve been a part of it for 3½ years) and the news is only getting worse.

Dr. Roy Crabtree, Executive Director of Southeast Fishery Management Council, has made his point of view very clear. As we work to improve the data collection process) to show the huge increase of red snapper in the Gulf) and present the latest research by reputable fisheries biologists, Dr. Crabtree has stated to me and to others, “I don’t care what the data says, you are not going to get any more fish [via bag limit or season increase].” He has also stated that in his opinion, it is “better for the nation” to have fewer anglers, commercial, for-hire, or private, and let the few who are left turn a better profit.

We have been very clear that we want to protect our natural resources and have the privilege to stay in business at the same time. We know it can be done, because it was being done from 2000 to 2006 when we were reduced to a 6-month season and 4-fish red snapper bag limit.

Please take time to read the research done by Dr. Bob Shipp regarding the status of the fishery (www.floridasportsman.com/casts/080701) and Dr. Frank Hester regarding the questionable accuracy of the SEDAR process which determines the stock assessments (www.floridasportsman.com/casts/090626). As it stands, recreational anglers and groups are working to get passed the U.S. House Bill 1584, the Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009. You can read it at www.govtrack.us. This is the amendment that must be added to help the red snapper fishing industry and set precedent for others throughout the Southeast. A synopsis:

“Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the reef fish fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic shall not be required to be rebuilt, and overfishing ended, by a specific date provided that the annual level of fishing does not exceed the net reproduction rate for that fishery such that the fishery is rebuilding each year. If the objective set forth in this section is not met for any of the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic reef fish fisheries in one year, the Secretary of Commerce shall adjust the fishing rate in that specific fishery in subsequent years to compensate for any overage.”

A new National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA) policy is working its way to the Gulf—Catch Shares. What does that mean to all recreational anglers who don’t fish on a consistent basis? Your share of the recreational catch may be sold by the government as a commodity to corporations, specific environmental groups that want to end fishing, and others who are out to make a buck. Then, those shares can be sold to outlets such as Walmart, or others, so you can “buy back” your natural resource.

If the catch shares maneuver becomes policy in the Gulf, fishermen and women will have to decide what fish they plan to catch, then go down to the store and buy fish tags for those reef fish. Let’s see, I want to catch and keep two red snapper, one grouper, two triggerfish, and one amberjack, so let me buy a tag for each of those. Then, when you catch those fish, if they are checked by the Coast Guard or state wildlife agencies, and they are not tagged, you will be fined. Doesn’t that sound like a lot of fun? Dr. Daniel Bromley’s study of the catch shares programs that are in place in other areas of the world can be found at this Web site: www.aae.wisc.edu/dbromley/pdfs/fisheriesifq.pdf.

Please pardon my sarcasm, but I just cannot believe that our fishery is coming to this. If you do not believe it, please contact the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA). The RFA incorporated in 1996 as a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues. Their press releases spell out the details and repeat most of the info I recently reported to the Panama City Rotary Club. You can contact the RFA at www.joinrfa.org and click on press releases for the latest information [joining is optional].

Once you have read it, please help us save our natural resource from being sold on Wall Street! Anglers across the Gulf and on the South Atlantic need to know what is about to happen to their rights to fish. The following federal and state legislators need to hear from you:

Ms. Monica Medina, Special Advisor to the Under Secretary NOAA, 1404 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20230

Dr. Bob Shipp, [New] Chairman, Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council 2203 N. Lois Ave., Suite 1100, Tampa, FL 33607.

Sincerely, Pam Anderson

Operations Manager Capt. Anderson Marina 5550 N. Lagoon Drive Panama City Beach, FL 32408