Have you harvested a permit?

[STRIPED MULLET]

If so and you would like to continue to do so, I highly recommend you tell the FWC Commissioners. At next month's meeting the FWC staff will be presenting draft definitions of "sport fish" and "game fish". After those definitions are approved, staff will be presenting which fish they recommend to add to those lists. As of today here are the draft definitions:

Game Fish:
No or limited commercial harvest
No sale or limited sale
Hook and line only

Sport Fish:
No commercial harvest
No sale
Hook and line only
NO RECREATIONAL HARVEST

Per the Sept 2012 Commission meeting here are the potential candidates for each of the lists:

Game Fish - Snook and Redfish

Sport Fish - Bonefish, Tarpon, and PERMIT

Yep, they're trying to backdoor a harvest closure on permit after all the **** we went through the last two years. Commissioner Chairman Ken Wright has made it clear that he would like additional protections for permit. Specifically he would like to see permit be designated to the sport fish category and make it catch and release only. According to FWC staff biologists, permit stocks are not even remotely in trouble per the most recent data. There is zero evidence that they have not been subject to an increase in pressure, nor have they been found to be endangered in any way.

So tell me, how is it justified for a single person to force their personal preference on all of Florida’s fishermen regardless of sound science?

In fact, this issue continues to be fueled primarily by a group of catch and release only fishermen (and now apparently Commissioner Chairman Ken Wright) who would like the FWC Commissioners to force their personal preference on all of Florida’s fishermen regardless of the lack of true need, which I believe, is unfair to the citizens and tourists of Florida. I hope you will too.

The FWC resources being spent on this permit sport fish issue would be, in my opinion, better spent on other fisheries which have documented problems, not catering to the personal preferences of Commissioner Chairman Ken Wright and a small group catch and release only fishermen.

If you feel the same way please let the Commissioners know by emailing them your thoughts via this link:

http://myfwc.com/contact/fwc-staff/s...commissioners/


At the beginning of next year we will need to come together and show up at the FWC Commission meetings and tell them in person.

Spread the word through your dive/fishing/spearfishing clubs.

Thank you!!

[STRIPED MULLET]

Here's a letter you can use to copy and paste. Feel free to change/modify but stay professional.

Dear Commissioners,

Thank you for your sound management of Florida’s fish and wildlife. I am contacting you regarding the future discussions pertaining to the concept of creating saltwater game fish and sport fish designations for Florida.

There are obvious benefits to the species that potentially could land on either of those lists. Florida is the fishing capital of the world and by creating additional protection for some of the potential species this would help preserve and protect the superb tourism and fishing industry-related communities all around our great state.

In June 2011 the Commission approved a series of modifications to the Permit, Florida Pompano, and African Pompano rules after your staff experts did an outstanding job of gathering public input through a series of statewide workshops and video-conferences for over a year and a half. The resulting draft rule revisions indicate that a majority of Florida’s permit fishermen approve of allowing individuals to harvest their legal bag limit of permit by hook and line or spearfishing gear.

Now I understand that Commissioner Chairman Ken Wright has made it clear that he would like additional protections for permit. Specifically he would like to see permit be designated to the sport fish category and make it catch and release only. According to FWC staff biologists, permit stocks are not even remotely in trouble per the most recent data. There is zero evidence that they have not been subject to an increase in pressure, nor have they been found to be endangered in any way.

So tell me, how is it justified for a single person to force their personal preference on all of Florida’s fishermen regardless of sound science?

In fact, this issue continues to be fueled primarily by a group of catch and release only fishermen (and now apparently Commissioner Chairman Ken Wright) who would like you to force their personal preference on all of Florida’s fishermen regardless of the lack of true need, which I believe, is unfair to the citizens and tourists of Florida. I hope you will too.

The FWC resources being spent on this permit sport fish issue would be, in my opinion, better spent on other fisheries which have documented problems, not catering to the personal preferences of Commissioner Chairman Ken Wright and a small group catch and release only fishermen.

Respectfully,

[Mackeral Snatcher]

It is my understanding that the guides in the keys have been the ones pushing for this.
Permit is very good eating and I've kept one whenever I caught one.


Just dropped them a note:

It has come to my attention that The FWC is considering Game Fish status for Permit.
I believe this is unwarranted and this agenda is being pushed by guides in the Keys who target permit on their charters.
Here off the West Central coast there is a very robust permit fishery and closing it down to harvest would be wrong.

Respectfully,
Jerry Cummings

[FS Karl Snapper]

What a wordplay jungle. Beyond dumb, drafted by non-anglers with little background in the subject...

[Gary S. Colecchio]

What a wordplay jungle. Beyond dumb, drafted by non-anglers with little background in the subject...

Where's CCA on this? They were very supportive of Aaron and his "rock star" fish status in Weston.

[STRIPED MULLET]

What a wordplay jungle. Beyond dumb, drafted by non-anglers with little background in the subject...

That's funny Karl because I don't remember you being at any of the scoping or stakeholders meeting about this issue over the past 2.5 years. I was at each of them.

Can you show us any data or information that refutes what was stated? I didn't think so.

I've spoken with Ted F. and as of now CCA doesn't have a "position". Previously they were in support of allowing harvest of permit. I've reached out to Aaron A. but have not heard back from him.

[FS Karl Snapper]

We've published thousands and thousands of words that refute the notions being considered, though it's true I don't attend as many meetings personally any more after 40 years on the soapbox. I do, however, stay up to date with many advocates who represent the recreational fishing community. I'd like to talk with you personally any time. Give me a ring.

Anyway, I think the definitions listed are far off base and ignorant of what other jurisdictions are doing. For e.g., the mention of "gamefish" to include sale, is counter to all that we worked on for so long, and achieved, for redfish. In Florida, the term gamefish is accepted to mean no-sale, though in some states it refers more to the game qualities of a fish rather than the sale aspect.

Generally, I don't think it is helpful to force rigid definitions in the state law on terms that mean different things in different jurisdictions. Better to just state the provisions as they apply. When and if there is confusion, you could give clarifying words.

[STRIPED MULLET]

The FWC staff presentation identifies other jurisdiction's definitions (within the SE US and along the GOM).

I agree with you that having a "limited sale" definition under game fish would be off base with respect to the potential candidates (snook and redfish).

What is your position with having permit listed under sport fish and no recreational harvest?

BTW, I'm fairly certain it was Barreto who coined "rock star".

Regardless, it still doesn't change the fact that now that Mr. Wright has been promoted to Chairman of the Commission he is now attempting to ignore all the FWC staff researchers, the data, and almost all the anglers and divers of Florida by trying again to ban harvest of one of Florida’s fishes simply because he personally does not like people eating them.

[Gary S. Colecchio]

BTW, I'm fairly certain it was Barreto who coined "rock star".

That was Aaron.

This is a continuing BTT initiative. CCA members heavily populate BTT, so it is going to be interesting where they come out on the issues.

[FS Karl Snapper]

I haven't used the term rock star and don't know how it fits into this...

But I favor leaving the permit rule as it is for now. We've never advocated zero take. We do favor no-sale of any size.

I believe Ken Wright has been basicaly on the side of rec anglers and is a good man for sportfishing conservation. I'll give him a call on the permit question.