The Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009 currently being lobbied by the Recreational Fishing Alliance (RFA) and their Gulf allies is receiving renewed attention in the Southeast as anglers throughout the South Atlantic and Gulf regions react to continued recreational fishing closures.
MSA’s requirements that all marine fish stocks must be rebuilt to historic levels simultaneously and within rigid, arbitrary timeframes is reckless, unrealistic and without regard for coastal communities and recreational fishermen.
On November 7, a flotilla of charter boats from the Destin Charter Boat Association in Florida formed a symbolic blockade along Florida’s Destin Harbor, while simultaneous rallies were held in nearby Panama City and Mexico Beach, and also in Orange Beach, Alabama. Additionally, both the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council have seen a huge increase in meeting attendance as fishermen and environmental activists have squared off over recreational fishing closures of amberjack and red snapper.
“Many anti-fishing environmental groups who have lobbied against our efforts want to see the waters off of Florida in a condition more pristine than when Ponce de Leon sailed the coast, regardless of the negative impact on fishing businesses and coastal economies,” Donofrio said. “This is not a reality. It is patently unfair to hold the recreational fishing industry to an unrealistic standard not expected by any other industry in the US,” he added.
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