Saving Seafood

FLORIDA: Blessing of the Fleet a community tradition, for fishermen and clergy

May 18, 2021 — It was a great day on the waterfront for one of Destin’s oldest traditions — the Blessing of the Fleet.

Sailboats, fishing boats and even pirate ships made their way through the harbor on May 13 for the 64th annual Blessing of the Fleet.

What started out with about a dozen fishing boats asking for blessing for a safe and prosperous year 64 years ago in the small fishing village of Destin, has grown just as the city. On Thursday, about 140 vessels made their way through the harbor for the event.

Capt. Jim Green of the New Florida Girl’s American Spirit, a 75-plus passenger vessel, said they would not miss the event and the chance to be blessed.

“When you are in the Gulf of Mexico and you realize how tiny you are, a blessing is always a blessing,” Green said.

Read the full story at The Destin Log

Gulf Coast Seafood Alliance Members Engage with Lawmakers, Represent Gulf in Washington

June 15, 2018 — WASHINGTON — The following was released by the Gulf Coast Seafood Alliance:   

Members of the Gulf Coast Seafood Alliance, representing Gulf fishermen, seafood dealers, and restaurants, travelled to Washington last Wednesday to participate in a roundtable hosted by the House Committee on Natural Resources. While in Washington, Alliance members also represented Gulf Coast seafood by participating in the 43rd Annual NOAA Fish Fry as the main event of Capitol Hill Ocean Week.

The round-table discussion was led by Natural Resources Committee Chairman, Rob Bishop (R-Utah), and addressed legislation that impedes economic growth and development along working waterfronts.

“Working waterfronts and our nation’s vast ocean resources are essential to coastal communities, generating billions of dollars each year,” read a statement issued by Chairman Bishop on the meeting. “We heard from real people whose livelihoods depend on a healthy ocean economy and their message was clear: without a rational regulatory framework, responsible economic growth and success is at risk.”

Participants also discussed legislation aimed at easing the pressure of unnecessary regulation, most notably the Strengthening Coastal Communities Act of 2018 introduced by Rep. Neal Dunn, (R-Fla.).

“What the Gulf Coast needs is fair, equitable management of key species,” said GCSA founding member and Gulf Coast restauranteur, Dewey Destin. “Sustainable management is paramount to the survival of communities along the Gulf Coast, and we were able to express that while in Washington.”

 

At the NOAA Fish Fry, Alliance members drew awareness to Gulf-specific issues — like the management of Gulf red snapper. They also had the opportunity to communicate those issues to high-ranking government officials. Members spoke with Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, and cooked Gulf red snapper and oysters alongside President Trump’s nominee to head NOAA, Barry Myers.

Alliance members that travelled to Washington include: Dewey and Parker Destin of the Dewey Destin Restaurant Group, David Krebs, President of Ariel Seafoods, and Greg Abrams, Owner of Greg Abrams Seafood.

Learn more about the GCSA  by visiting their site here.

 

 

 

 

NCFC Member Capt. Gary Jarvis Elected Mayor of Destin, Florida

March 14, 2018 — Saving Seafood sends its congratulations to Capt. Gary Jarvis, restaurateur and president of the Destin Charter Boat Association (DCBA), on his election yesterday as mayor of Destin, Florida. As president of the DCBA, Capt. Jarvis is a member of Saving Seafood’s National Coalition for Fishing Communities and the recently formed Gulf Coast Seafood Alliance. We wish Capt. Jarvis a successful four-year term working on behalf of the people of Destin.

The following is excerpted from an article by the Northwest Florida Daily News:

DESTIN, Fla. — Gary Jarvis is about to get his feet wet as the city’s mayor.

The local restaurateur and president of the Destin Charter Boat Association reeled in the four-year mayoral post Tuesday with 1,687 votes, or 51.75 percent, toppling incumbent Scott Fischer, who tallied 1,573 votes, or 48.25 percent, according to unofficial election results.

“We worked really hard,” Jarvis said from Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer on Tuesday night. “It was my first time running for office. There was a lot of baring and gnashing of teeth in this election, but I focused on what I brought to the table and not getting into the mud-slinging. The people I knew the longest went to the polls, and I feel honored that the city of Destin weeded through the mud-raking.”

He said one of the biggest changes he would like to implement on the City Council is to shorten its meetings.

“Meetings won’t be four hours anymore, so people can participate in the meetings and the civic process,” Jarvis said. “And I will meet with the city manager and the present council and get my feet wet.”

Read the full story at the Northwest Florida Daily News

 

Save the snappers? Environmental groups calling for shorter fishing season

July 27, 2017 — DESTIN, Fla. — A lawsuit filed in Washington D.C. wants to kill or significantly reduce next year’s recreational red snapper season before it starts.

The suit was filed on behalf of the Environmental Defense Fund and could benefit commercial fishermen. They say the suit will save the snapper for future generations of fishermen.

The Environmental Defense Fund wants to do away the extra days the federal government gave to recreational fishermen this year by removing them from next year’s season.

Parker Destin has lived in the city named after his family most of his life.

He supports the lawsuit; as well as more regulations on recreational red snapper fishermen.

“If we do not get it right, well we won’t have red snapper in the future and that’s not good for anybody including the small angler, who comes down here and wants to access it,” Destin said.

Read and watch the full story at WEAR-TV

Projections for red snapper season are in

April 14, 2016 — DESTIN, Fla. — Although the end date is still uncertain, the start of red snapper season is June 1.

“But good news is on the way,” said Capt. Gary Jarvis of the Back Down2 and president of the Destin Charter Boat Association.

Jarvis is anticipating a 50 day season for the charter for-hire boats in federal waters.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met last week in Texas to discuss catch limits, requirements and allocations of various fisheries – among them red snapper.

In recent years the red snapper fishery, which was deemed overfished by regulators, has started to rebound and this year anglers may get a few more days.

See the full story at Northwest Florida Daily News