The Southeast Atlantic Fisheries Council has now enacted the nuclear option not only to close Snapper fishing but also to forbid ALL BOTTOM fishing in 5000 sq miles of the Atlantic off the coast of FL and GA in an effort to reduce the 'Snapper bycatch'.

Make your outrage known by emailing Sen Bill Nelson and his Chief of Staff Pete Mitchell at:

http://billnelson.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm
pete_mitchell@billnelson.senate.gov

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"This is my signature not my facebook page."

how does this affect the fishing charters such as the mayport princess and others?

Wow !!!!

As I understand it, the ban has no expiration. I see lots of charter boats up for auction.

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Hobie Revolution
Hobie Outback

I would also like to know where you got this info. Not to call you out or anything like that, I just haven't been able to find anything on the subject at all. I would love as much info as you can get, thanks.

http://www.safmc.net/News/NewsReleases/NewsReleaseJune92010/tabid/646/Default.aspx

search red snapper ban Florida

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010 ... napper-ban

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Hobie Revolution
Hobie Outback

Elton Bottom and many other popular bottom fishing spots are now banned for ALL BOTTOM FISHING. You can still bottom fish in most of the party grounds as they are in less than 90ft of water, but if you catch a grouper or a snapper you cannot keep it.

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"This is my signature not my facebook page."

I received info about it the other day from Dave Workman at Strike-Zone........

(I didn't realize how fast things were actually happening) ! ! !

It is incredible how far/fast they have been pushing this whole situation...especially considering the "faulty" information they are using....(they even have recognized their info is flawed).

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Home Theater Installation

Just got my response from Senator Bill Nelson:


Dear Mr. Vojtush:

Thank you for contacting me regarding recent restrictions on fishing and the Magnuson-Stevens Act. There have been a lot of concerns lately about fishery closures affecting Florida, whether in the Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic Ocean. Because fishing is so important to our State, it is vital that we find a way to preserve public access to our fisheries, so that our kids and grandkids can enjoy the same fishing trips and fresh Florida seafood that we have enjoyed.

As you know, the Magnuson-Stevens Act requires that regional fishery management councils end overfishing. I support curbs to end overfishing, but I am concerned that too often these decisions are being made on limited and sporadic data. I believe we really have to look again at the science here and make sure we’re not mistakenly putting Florida’s fishing industry in serious jeopardy. That is why I have called on the Senate Commerce Committee to hold an oversight hearing on the recent closures affecting Florida and how the Magnuson-Stevens Act is being implemented. This hearing will bring the issues out in the open and will help guide what kind of changes need to be made.

In addition to asking Congress to look into the recent closures, I have filed two bills to stop the closures of the red snapper fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico and the South Atlantic.The Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Red Snapper Fishery Protection Acts (S. 3045 and S. 3046) would prevent a shortened season and closure of these fisheries until the fishery service proves that they have better data.

I will continue to work to protect Florida’s fishermen and fisheries, and I will insist that when making decisions that hurt coastal communities we need to make sure we are using robust, independent, and accurate data. I appreciate your taking the time to share your views with me. Please do not hesitate to contact me again.

Sincerely,
Senator Bill Nelson

P.S. From time to time, I compile electronic news briefs highlighting key issues and hot topics of particular importance to Floridians. If you'd like to receive these e-briefs, visit my Web site and sign up for them at http://billnelson.senate.gov/news/ebriefs.cfm

That is nothing more than a format letter. They just change the reply to name. Both my son and I received the same response. Sen. Nelson is just feeding us a bunch of lip service. I can not find any info as to when and if the proposed bills are being introduced.

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If It Pulls Pull Back
Member S.S.C.

i received the same exact letter as well. obviously the state officials knew in advance how this would infuriate the voters of this state but chose to not give a damn. the form letters would not have been drafted if they didnt think they would have this many responses to answer.

the only way to make a difference is to show up at the polls when it is time to cast your vote

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Even after a bad day of fishing, it was still a good idea to call in sick to work!!!


Red Heritage Redfish 14

I just wish they would cuddle after screwing us. Now i wonder whats gonna be cheeper driving down south for my grouper and snapper or paying what is sure to be $60/lb at publix. As for sen. Nelson i vote we leave flaming paper bags of dog poo on his front door till we see the results we want, but im open for other more productive ideas as well

I just noticed that the original posting was from 2010, still this ban would be totally crazy… just more government intrusion into our lives, all based on lies and bad information. Seems like all we get from our elected officials are stupid regulations that tend to hurt the poor and middle class. Maybe it is time to vote all of these useless piles of sh_ t out of office or better yet, just hang them from a tall tree. Think how many jobs in the local fishing industry would be lost, when the number one thing this country needs is employed tax paying Americans. Then there is also the little issue of the lost income and taxes all of those jobs produced, gone and at a time when the state and federal government needs to increase capital to balance their bankrupt budgets. I may not be the brightest bulb in the pack but I am smart enough to know when I am being wronged and I for one am ready to take what ever action is needed to bring some real change to this county and I leave all options on the table to accomplish that goal, from using my vote, a hammer or what ever tool I can find to end the greed and corruption that current plagues Tallahassee and Washington. This is simply because way too many have paid the ultimate price for our freedom and I’ll be dammed if I am going to sit back and watch that freedom taken away by the very same people we elected to represent us. Simple truth of the matter is during prohibition I would have still drank and if the government bans bottom fishing, I still fish.

LeMeaux when he was appointed Senator did a very nice job fighting for our fishing rights. I am looking forward to him replacing Nelson who has been part of the big gov DC establishment for way too long IMO.

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"This is my signature not my facebook page."