ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla., — June 15, 2013 — The following was released by FISHforAMERICA:
FISHforAMERICA ( FFA ) is pleased to announce that the Consumer Advocacy Organization will be attending the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s June meeting in Pensacola Fl this coming week. The Gulf Council will be discussing Allocation changes between the Commercial and Recreational sectors that are considered unprecedented and far reaching; possibly affecting all Fishery Management regions.
The consequences for the American consumer are tremendous as they relate to health, choice, and denial of participation in enjoying a public resource. FFA will at the meeting be representing all 330 million Americans while the CCA, RFA and other Recreational organizations will be representing their relativity small group of members. It is apparent to all involved that these member groups have positioned themselves on the Gulf Council as well as other Councils to reward their members with the lion’s share of the American citizen’s allocation. Recreational Fishermen who fish Federal waters represent 3% of the American public, this group disproportionably harvest over 50% of all fish in Gulf of Mexico Federal waters. FFA not only considers the 320 million non-Federal water fishing Americans but includes this 3% when protecting the right of all Americans to enjoy wild caught domestic seafood.
FISHforAMERICA understands and supports the importance of Recreational fishing to the well-being of our nation, whether socially or economically this sector plays a very valuable role in American life. What FFA does object to is the disproportion of the allocation split and the lack of Recreational accountability that results in fewer seafood products for our nation’s consumers.
FISHforAMERICA asks that ALL Americans visit our website at FISHforAMERICA.org for information on this very important issue.