GULF COUNCIL TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS
ON GAG GROUPER FISHERY MANAGEMENT AMENDMENT
March 2008
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery
Management Council is one of eight regional councils
responsible for co-managing our nation's fish resources
in a sustainable manner. The Council meets throughout
the year to establish management measures for Gulf fisheries
such as gag grouper, shrimp, amberjack, and red snapper.
The Council is hosting a series
of public hearings in Florida before it finalizes a
management plan for rebuilding depleted gag grouper
and other important species at its meeting in April,
in Baton Rouge. The public hearing in St. Petersburg,
FL will be held on Wednesday, March 19, from 6:00 until
10:00 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel at 12600 Roosevelt
Blvd.
The gag grouper is Florida's
signature fish. A successful plan will end the overfishing
of gag that threatens the Gulf's ecology and the economic
vitality of our fishing communities. The Council has
the opportunity to hold Gulf fishery managers accountable
for adopting science-based plans to support and sustain
gag.
Science-based limits to fishing
are the best way to ensure a healthy gag grouper stock
and a viable, profitable fishery. Scientists believe
we are taking too many gag grouper out of the water
to the detriment of the kind of fishing that is wanted
in Florida's future. They believe that both the landed
catch and the number of gag thrown back (or- bycatch)
- must be reduced in order to promote the healthy ecosystem,
healthy fish stock and healthy fishery that will keep
Florida's fishing economy strong and vibrant.
The council must not act solely
in the short term interest but act to insure the Gulf
and the grouper for generations to come. For a complete
list of public hearings, please visit, www.gulfcouncil.org.
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