FWC considering creating saltwater game fish and sport fish designations

[lemaymiami]

Logged on to the webinar last night on this issue and sent in my comments.... I noted that they've very carefully tried to eliminate any controversy by not talking about what they intend to do with this if it passes. The entire session very carefully avoided any talk of which species, etc.

That's a very bad sign as far as I'm concerned.... It almost sounded like the folks behind this were working on someone's political campaign.

[Eggsuckindog]

In the St Pete Times Tomlin mentioned Tarpon and Snook as likely targets for "sport fish", and quoted the amount of tags sold 375 and that 75 fish had been kept. I agree with the comments that if they don't want to tell you - you won't like it.

Think back about 6 months ago and the PTTS, as this is a new attack on them specfically - if the sportfish comes to be - no more Tarpon Tags - no more tags no more Tarpon events anywhere, I think this the true agenda. Although if you throw snook in would that eliminate the ability to use measuring boards? - you then move on to Redfish there goes all the Redfish Tours too.

A very slippery slope and as noted all these fish are heavily regulated already via season - slot and bag limits of zero or 1 or 5 if you include trout - where do you go from there. As a note - the regs pretty much already eliminate the average shore bound anglers due to size regs on snapper, sheepshead, black drum and to an extent reds and trout - I'm not talking about expert waders, read the FWC citations reports since the license went into effect.

I said 2 years ago when they threw the emergency closure on snook - you will never be able to keep another snook - looks like I was pretty close.

I also said in response to grouper regs when the flats guys gave no support because they did not go offshore - " They will come for you guys next" was my responce and so it starts.
I will stop now because I'm feeling to smart to handle the rest of the day and see if I can fix the leaf blower, that should bring back to earth.

[Gary S. Colecchio]

In the St Pete Times Tomlin mentioned Tarpon and Snook as likely targets for "sport fish", and quoted the amount of tags sold 375 and that 75 fish had been kept. I agree with the comments that if they don't want to tell you - you won't like it.

I don't think your wrong. But the commissioners are not mentioning which species are candidates for "no take" status. Which is necessary to establish them, because if they did, there would be a lot more public outcry in opposition. They are effectively " backdooring " the category establishment in plain sight.

I too suspect that they are Tarpon, Snook and Permit and inclusion will not be made by abundance but by the "celebrity " status of the fish through their very vocal advocates.

[area52]

What is the potential downside if they do this? In leymans terms.

[Eggsuckindog]

By popular demand here is Terry Tomlin's article from the St Pete Times - sounds like he must have talked to somebody, he's been around along time in this biz.
It also appears the agenda for the webinars has been ajusted to no disscusion on which fish they are actually talking about.

NOTE: The charter Capts and crew have been removed from the Rec Status even under Gamefish - I thought they were in the Recreational side of the ledger.

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/outdo...status/1264994

Outdoors news and notes: Tarpon, snook among species up for special status consideration in Florida


officials seek input on status for Select fish

Tarpon and snook are two of Florida's most popular species among recreational anglers. But should they be given special status? The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will host a series of "webinars" to gather public input on sport fish and game fish status for these and other popular saltwater fish. -

These online events, scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Dec. 10 and Dec. 12, are free and open to the public. But because the same topic will be discussed on both dates, state biologists ask that interested parties only register and participate in one webinar, which can be found at fwc.adobeconnect.com/mfm.

Suggested parameters for "game fish" include no commercial harvest, possession or sale; fish could only be targeted with hook and line; and captain and crew of for-hire vessels such as charter boats would have a bag limit of zero. Species that may get game fish designation include snook, red drum (redfish) and spotted seatrout.

The "sport fish" designation, as proposed, would offer a higher level of protection than game fish by including no recreational harvest as well as no commercial harvest, possession or sale and targeting sport fish only with hook and line. Tarpon could become a catch-and-release-only fishery if new rules under consideration by the FWC are adopted. Other species that could get sport fish designation include bonefish, permit and billfish.
Florida has game fish rules for several species of freshwater fish, including largemouth bass, but no similar designation for saltwater species. In most states, game fish status means no commercial sale or harvest. Game fish laws vary from state to state along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Texas lists 12 species of game fish, including red drum, sailfish, marlin and tarpon. Louisiana, however, lists just three species: red drum, sailfish and marlin.

Tarpon, one of the most important recreational species in Florida, already currently enjoy an advanced degree of protection.
State law requires that anglers who want to "possess or harvest" a tarpon must buy a tag for $50. During the 2011-12 fiscal year anglers purchased 375 tags but, according to the FWC, just six tarpon were kept.
Anglers who come to Florida in search of a world record need not worry. The International Game Fish Association has developed rules for anglers who want to release fish yet have their catches considered for world records. For example, measurements of length and girth can be calculated to give an estimated weight.

Send news to Terry Tomalin at ttomalin@tampabay.com or call (727) 893-8808.

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/outdo...status/1264994

[Gary S. Colecchio]

The practical downside is you will not able to keep a snook or permit or any other fish someone labels a "Rock Star".

The more insidious harm is that these designations , like "Rock Star " have no legitimate purpose in fisheries management and are not backed nor necessary by any science but instead by ad populum (as we see with efforts to keep the snook closed on the west coast). It completely disregards rulemaking by science. We may as well do away with FWRI since their efforts as maintaining populations by conservation allowing a reaasonable harvest (I hate that term) is replaced with simple preservation which allows for none.

Which could be FFWCC's intent when were consider this administration's efforts in reducing government.

[Eggsuckindog]

My first post above I was wrong - 375 tags were sold and 6 six were kept - IMHO opinion if 6 fish will upset a fishery its in a very sad state of affairs - more than 6 are eatin in a day in BG alone and not just fisherman hooked fish - so Rock Star staus wouldn't change a thing. The sharks gotta make a living too ya know and they aren't there because fisherman are, they been com'in before any jig fisherman was born. Another backdoor attempt to stop any tarpon event especially the PTTS they hate other people having fun - redfish events will be next but with snook in thereall the Flatsmaster type events are toast too

As Gary so elequently its all BS

[Got TA Go]

And for the record... Its a small group of self-appointed elite Keys Flats Guides being ushered along by BTT that want Permit designated as no take....because they have No Clue.

I don't know of any Permit that are taken in the backcountry by any guides...and the ones we catch in the gulf and on the reef aren't using the same road map they use through the shallows.

Rob

[Gary S. Colecchio]

And for the record... Its a small group of self-appointed elite Keys Flats Guides being ushered along by BTT that want Permit designated as no take....because they have No Clue.

That cannot be said often enough.