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1 | Timestamp | Enter your full name | email address | City, State, Zip Code | Check all that apply | Comments | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2 | 1/21/2020 11:25:35 | Test Test | testing@gulfcouncil.org | Tampa, FL 33607 | Testing | |||||||||||||||||||||||
3 | 1/27/2020 9:59:51 | Catherine Bruger | cbruger@oceanconservancy.org | St. Petersburg, FL | NGO | https://drive.google.com/open?id=1VhZ57u1fkNUG6-uik7sIbAogARyhB0sp | ||||||||||||||||||||||
4 | 1/28/2020 9:31:48 | Elizabeth Silleck | esilleck@edf.org | Austin, TX | NGO | https://drive.google.com/open?id=1b0CsABy09QbEm281LrWDlhnmF4xiuKr8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
5 | 5/21/2020 13:38:49 | Test | Emily.Muehlstein@gulfcouncil.org | Hhh | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
6 | 6/16/2020 10:19:19 | Eric Brazer | eric@shareholdersalliance.org | NGO | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1St3r6-AgCHem2sSTTDPTk7UzHtRLV1dN/view?usp=sharing | |||||||||||||||||||||||
7 | 6/16/2020 11:14:57 | Sepp Haukebo | shaukebo@edf.org | NGO | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sWv3eX6aNNTvyuvBUCQBBWcx-64MuRXK/view?usp=sharing | |||||||||||||||||||||||
8 | 7/18/2020 9:28:31 | alan j schmidt | ajmac@cass.net | deerfield michigan | Private Recreational Angler | i have never caught as many red grouper as i did last winter in fla out of englewood. if i fished within 16 mile of shore short red grouper were a nuisance when trying to catch other fish. we had to go out over 30 mile to get away from small reds and catch keepers.we caught our limit 9 out of 10 times when we went out over 30 miles. i cannot see lowering the limit while there are so many red grouper out there. thank you. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
9 | 7/18/2020 15:28:40 | alan j schmidt | ajmac@cass.net | deerfield michigan | Private Recreational Angler | i have never caught as many red grouper as i did last winter in fla out of englewood. if i fished within 16 mile of shore short red grouper were a nuisance when trying to catch other fish. we had to go out over 30 mile to get away from small reds and catch keepers.we caught our limit 9 out of 10 times when we went out over 30 miles. i cannot see lowering the limit while there are so many red grouper out there. thank you. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
10 | 10/25/2020 22:57:23 | Brian Lewis | blewis131@hotmail.com | Clearwater,fl 33765 | Private Recreational Angler, Commercial Fisher, IFQ Shareholder | Dear Council Members , I’m a stakeholder who has already lost 60 percent of my allocation due to the reduction of the TAC to the commercial fleet . This new method of recalibrating what the recreational fisherman have caught is nothing more than a fish grab . The recreational fisherman hardly ever fished for red grouper Historically And you know this To be true You consider this To be the best science available really ? I Spent my life savings to purchase red grouper shares to keep my business afloat and now you want to try to take It away ! The recreational fisherman already has many other of species of fish they can catch ! This Amendment is not fair or equitable in any way and must be tabled ! Please consider the harm to the fishery This amendment will do Regards Brian lewis F/V Trip limit 556461 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
11 | 10/26/2020 11:08:52 | Eric Brazer | eric@shareholdersalliance.org | NGO | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YBuRU-2rabLIe9oVWMUo_eEW-Q7B7MS9/view?usp=sharing | |||||||||||||||||||||||
12 | 12/1/2020 15:07:50 | Meaghan Ermory | meaghan.e.emory@gmail.com | Private Recreational Angler | To whom it may concern, I was unable to join in for the public comment section during today's Council meeting, but wanted to share the following comment with the Council. I would greatly appreciate it if you could please forward this message along to the appropriate contacts. The Florida Skin Divers Association (FSDA) is a recreational diving organization of 230 active members who regularly dive and spearfish around the state of Florida. Our members are your eyes in the water that can provide direct observations of our Gulf of Mexico marine ecosystems. Over the past few years, our observations have paralleled those of the red grouper stock assessment – we have observed very low red grouper abundance and have noticed a lower recreational catch than usual. Many of our members would prefer to see increases in size limits as a conservation measure as opposed to seasonal closures, which often result in increased pressure to other species. We hope this information proves useful to the Council, and we appreciate your time and dedication to these issues. Warm regards, Meaghan Emory Secretary, Florida Skin Divers Association President, Women’s Spearfishing Alliance | |||||||||||||||||||||||
13 | 1/25/2021 10:50:01 | Eric Brazer | eric@shareholdersalliance.org | NGO | https://drive.google.com/file/d/11Oit22S0qtzY8kzFJ9LlhC6BTegbc50s/view?usp=sharing | |||||||||||||||||||||||
14 | 1/28/2021 11:55:11 | Glen Brooks | brooks3glen@yahoo.com | To the Gulf of Mexico fishery management council 01/28/2021 On the issue of multi use red and gag grouper allocation, I believe that for people like me its not gonna make much difference if it goes away. Everyone's red grouper and gag allocation will go up accordingly with the elimination of multi use. But for the smaller guys and new entrants that we are always talking about protecting it may very well hurt them a lot. If a fisherman has plenty of red grouper allocation for the year and very little gag allocation they may be very dependent on that multi use to avoid discards as to why we have multi use allocation to begin with. As for amendment 53 I oppose any re-allocation It would definitely be taking more fish away from the non fishing public. It unfairly hurts commercial fisherman (large and small operations) who have had an already difficult year due to the pandemic and uncertain markets with most of the country being shut down. Most fisherman have worked hard to balance there allocation accounts to match there business goals and keep a year round fishery open for resturants and markets by either buying shares they need or securing leasing options and contracts. Taking allocation away from these businesses will drive up the cost and demand for remaining shares and allocation. This action will reward the rec sector for there overfishing. Calibration can and should be done without re-allocation Glen Brooks Gulf Fishermans Assoc. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
15 | 1/28/2021 11:55:54 | Glen Brooks | brooks3glen@yahoo.com | To the Gulf of Mexico fishery management council 01/28/2021 On the issue of multi use red and gag grouper allocation, I believe that for people like me its not gonna make much difference if it goes away. Everyone's red grouper and gag allocation will go up accordingly with the elimination of multi use. But for the smaller guys and new entrants that we are always talking about protecting it may very well hurt them a lot. If a fisherman has plenty of red grouper allocation for the year and very little gag allocation they may be very dependent on that multi use to avoid discards as to why we have multi use allocation to begin with. As for amendment 53 I oppose any re-allocation It would definitely be taking more fish away from the non fishing public. It unfairly hurts commercial fisherman (large and small operations) who have had an already difficult year due to the pandemic and uncertain markets with most of the country being shut down. Most fisherman have worked hard to balance there allocation accounts to match there business goals and keep a year round fishery open for resturants and markets by either buying shares they need or securing leasing options and contracts. Taking allocation away from these businesses will drive up the cost and demand for remaining shares and allocation. This action will reward the rec sector for there overfishing. Calibration can and should be done without re-allocation Glen Brooks Gulf Fishermans Assoc. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
16 | 1/29/2021 13:42:00 | Bob Zales | bobzales2@gmail.com | On behalf of the members of SOFA and the Gulf members of NACO I respectfully request that the planned future public hearings on amend 53, red grouper, be held when in person meetings can be provided. Yesterday y’all added a significant motion to the proposed amendment, to include an option which holds the commercial ACL in pounds at its current level. There has been no analysis of what this motion means so without such and no info on where any council member stands on the potential impact of the motion, there is no way stakeholders can provide reasonable comment on any possible impact to the stock or to the social and economic impact to fishermen and communities. As all know proposed amend 53 will implement substantial changes to the allocation of red grouper, available quota to the commercial and recreational sectors, will have serious impacts on the social and economic status of small fishing families, local fish processors, for hire charter and private recreational fishermen, supporting businesses, seafood consumers, and local communities. In addition several alternatives were designated as preferred providing no time for stakeholders to fully understand the intent of the council. Public hearings should not be scheduled until all alternatives contained in the amendment have been fully analyzed with the data provided so stakeholders understand the impact of each alternative. In addition, it is impossible for stakeholders to reasonably participate in a virtual hearing as electronic means are unreliable and many cases such technology is limited at best for some. Amend 53 has been a work in progress for several years and the potential impacts will have dramatic affects. The stakeholders deserve the ability to participate in a full in person meeting so all information can be provided, questions asked, and comments can be provided. We are in a new transition of leadership in our administration and within NOAA and NOAA Fisheries. Many changes of management actions may be forth coming. Chris Oliver, who performed well as AA and was greatly appreciated has resigned and Paul Doremus has been appointed as acting AA. Other leadership within NOAA have also resigned. Many changes are upon us and the proposed changes to management of the red grouper fishery will have significant impacts on all. Due to the fact Amend 53 has been ongoing we see no need for immediate electronic hearings on alternatives that have not been fully vetted and we have no idea where council members stand on these new alternatives. We encourage you to place the new information in front of the council at the April meeting and schedule hearings when in person hearings can be arranged. Thanks, Capt Bob Zales, II | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
17 | 1/29/2021 13:42:42 | Charlie Bergmann | ceb11@att.net | With upcoming public hearings on Amendment 53, I encourage the Council to hold them publicly. As your April Council meeting in Tampa is in the epicenter of the red grouper fishery a public hearing during the Hybrid council meeting would afford members of the fishery the opportunity to learn and testify in person on the important changes being suggested. While webinar council meeting have carried the ball this past year, it hasn’t been a seamless transition and technical problems occur and suppress the ability of many fishermen to comment verbally. Best regards, Charlie Bergmann | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
18 | 1/29/2021 19:08:23 | Joseph abdo | jmabdo2020@gmail.com | 33781 | Commercial Fisher | Reef Fish Amendment 53, I oppose any re-allocation. It would definitely be taking more fish away from the non fishing public. It unfairly hurts commercial fisherman (large and small operations) who have had an already difficult year due to the pandemic and uncertain markets with most of the country being shut down. Most fisherman have worked hard to balance there allocation accounts to match there business goals and keep a year round fishery open for resturants and markets by either buying shares they need or securing leasing options and contracts. Taking allocation away from these businesses will drive up the cost and demand for remaining shares and allocation. This action will reward the rec sector for there overfishing. Calibration can and should be done without re-allocation Joseph Abdo | ||||||||||||||||||||||
19 | 2/1/2021 9:26:40 | Joe Abdo | gulffreshfillet@gmail.com | Commercial Fisher | To the Gulf of Mexico fishery management council; I would like to thank you in advance for taking the time to hear what the commercial fishermen, like myself, have to say about these changes you are considering. I am a commercial fisherman, and this is my family’s only source of income. I strongly oppose any re-allocation in amendment 53. This would be detrimental to the commercial fishing community who have already had to struggle with the changes and closures this pandemic has thrown at us. For those who do not own shares, it is already a struggle to secure allocation to lease, taking more allocation away from us will drive up the cost and demand for remaining shares and allocation, making it harder for us to get the allocation to land the fish so that we can supply these fish to our local businesses. It not only affects fishermen, but it also affects the local businesses who purchase our fish. Calibration can and should be done but without re-allocating the quota. On the issue of multi-use red and gag grouper allocation, my boats predominantly fish for Red Grouper, therefore I do not usually secure as much gag allocation as I do Red Grouper allocation. There have been times where we have been dependent on the multi allocation to prevent my boats from having to discard the gag that we would not have had allocation to land. I hope you will take into account how all this will be harmful for the commercial fishing industry as well as local businesses that depend on the fish we catch. Thank you, Joe Abdo | |||||||||||||||||||||||
20 | 2/2/2021 13:59:28 | Kirby O Klys | captnkirby1@gmail.com | FORT WHITE | IFQ Shareholder, retired | I did fish for 30+ years, and still hold both my permit and shares, I have also attended both the management and science workshops. What I find extremely disheartening with the potential allocation shift is that , 1) due to the truncated nature of the data, the prior cut in tac and now the potential reallocation you have listed as your preferred alternative does not address some real world concerns. My disclaimer is that I am just now getting re involved, so don't beat me up if I'm a bit off on specifics. The larger picture remains the same. 1)On the fisheries side TAC due to the truncated nature of the science, I believe 2018 at this time for the red grouper assessment, (Something's fishy with red grouper, Emily) any increase in tac lags real world landings on the commercial side. The practical result is that permissible landings as restrained, of with a shift in allocation, reduced as the biomass is increasing. 2) On the socio economic models of just who and where gets the best bang for the buck, I believe those models need to be revisited and improved, and slanted toward people who actually make a living catching fish. From personal experience, every recreational fisher obviously wants to bring home more meat. In real life one fish more or less is not going to keep most recreational fishers home. Also from my own past, on the commercial side, fixed costs are high. Income isn't, and most commercial fishers aren't affluent, just trying to make a living. Cutting an 26% of of their pay, of which not much is profit. will unfairly hurt all, and put many of these people out of business, resulting on a drain of our economy, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
21 | 2/3/2021 11:20:30 | Eric McLaughlin | tiderunnermarine@gmail.com | Goodland, FL 34140 | Commercial Fisher, IFQ Shareholder, Dealer | To the Gulf of Mexico fishery management council; Thank you in advance for taking the time to consider my concerns as they pertain to amendment 53, as a commercial fisherman. I strongly oppose any re-allocation in amendment 53. This would be detrimental to the commercial fishing community who have already had to struggle with the changes and closures from this pandemic. For those of us who do not own shares, it is already hard to secure allocation to lease. Taking more allocation away from us will drive up the cost and demand for remaining shares and allocation, making it harder for us to get the allocation to land the fish that many of our local businesses rely on. It not only affects fishermen, but it also affects the local businesses who purchase our fish. Calibration can and should be done but without re-allocating the quota. Also the mortality rate of discarded Red Grouper from the recreational sector will increase substantially if amendment 53 passes. I hope you will take into account how this will harm the commercial fishing industry as well as local businesses that depend on our catch. Thank you, Eric McLaughlin tiderunnermarine@gmail.com (239) 431-1836 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
22 | 2/24/2021 12:48:40 | joseph Abdo | jmabdo2020@gnail.com | pinellas prk florida 33781 | Commercial Fisher | I oppose amendment 53, it would take too many fish away from the non fishing public who depend on our local domestic grouper production in the commercial sector. It will drive the foreign fish market dependancy and destroy local fishery jobs,whilst driving down domestic product production. It unfairly hurts commercial fishing businesses lrge and smaller operations. Not too Mention commercial fisherman that down on shares depend on leasing these allocations to provide yields to pay their bills and feed their families this reallocation would drive those prices up to where smaller boats and people that lease these fish would not be able to operate. Not to mention it would drive up the cost of shares which would make it even more prohibitive for future entrance to come to the commercial fishery it basically would destroy the commercial fishery by passing this amendment. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
23 | 2/27/2021 2:18:56 | joseph Abdo | jmabdo2020@gnail.com | pinellas prk florida 33781 | Commercial Fisher | I oppose amendment 53, it would take too many fish away from the non fishing public who depend on our local domestic grouper production in the commercial sector. It will drive the foreign fish market dependancy and destroy local fishery jobs,whilst driving down domestic product production. It unfairly hurts commercial fishing businesses lrge and smaller operations. Not too Mention commercial fisherman that down on shares depend on leasing these allocations to provide yields to pay their bills and feed their families this reallocation would drive those prices up to where smaller boats and people that lease these fish would not be able to operate. Not to mention it would drive up the cost of shares which would make it even more prohibitive for future entrance to come to the commercial fishery it basically would destroy the commercial fishery by passing this amendment. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
24 | 4/7/2021 11:45:56 | James H Zurbrick | jim@jollyrogersii.com | Steinhatchee FL 32359 | Private Recreational Angler, Commercial Fisher, NGO, IFQ Shareholder, Dealer | I have witnessed the same Amendment 53 intentions a few years ago with the labeled re-calibration in regards to Red Snapper. It did not work then and I hope it will not succeed now. Regardless of the time span used to allocate to a non-accountable fishery from an accountable sector was wrong in the past and continues to be wrong. If it is correct to assume that a Recreational sector would be rewarded with a larger percentage from over-fishing their allocation, one should be outraged with this amendment and any other that uses this rationale. If there is to be an adjustment it should not be considered until the Red Grouper stock has a status of healthy and even then not re-allocated until the same accountability as the Commercial sector is achieved. The Commercial sector is trying to recover from an extremely difficult time financially and decreasing their access is wrong at best. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
25 | 4/12/2021 9:39:17 | Eric Brazer | eric@shareholdersalliance.org | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Cbe7srOaRhDoBH_Mp_ej_uac4_md4Xxy/view?usp=sharing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
26 | 4/13/2021 8:24:45 | Eric Brazer | eric@shareholdersalliance.org | NGO | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rLjMELNU7Kereh_gYcYGacDffamaxI3x/view?usp=sharing | |||||||||||||||||||||||
27 | 4/14/2021 17:07:47 | HD Pappas | shickman@pappas.com | Texas | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_44kB5vWbPHwy8-cOPGq-SMK9T6iuHt2/view?usp=sharing | |||||||||||||||||||||||
28 | 4/15/2021 7:57:44 | Dylan Hubbard | dhubbard@hubbardsmarina.com | Madeira Beach, FL | Charter/Headboat For-Hire | https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eh8KRWdX8ArA3iaUjpPUcJ7XvX91PTIw/view?usp=sharing | ||||||||||||||||||||||
29 | 4/30/2021 12:50:54 | Kirby O Klys | captnkirby1@gmail.com | FORT WHITE | IFQ Shareholder, retired | I fished commercially for approx. 30 years. The slight increase of what a recreational fisher would receive will not possibly off set the huge number of lbs. of red grouper taken off the table for the vast number of consumers ( who have little knowledge of ,or voice in, this process to be able to make input. Should not that data stream be imputed to making a accurate decision that will affect the us population at large?) who go to a resort town, rent a room, shop and go eat a nice dinner somewhere? Better. more relevant data would put a higher influence with a wider audience who actually impacts the economy in perhaps MORE ways with a wider ripple effect now currently considered. Six of your categories s have a direct impact of fishers of industry related people, only 1 could be construed as public>>>>>? Who represents them? I (again) did it for 30 years, was good at it and never got "rich." ANY percentage of red grouper taken off the plate of the commercial guy or gal trying to make a living in an already very difficult environment will put many out of work. Does this even figure in the overall scheme of things as there WILL BE less and less people actually fishing for the pubic? The person driving the 350 dually, pulling a sweet boat with twins isn't going to make of break a trip based of a fish of two. I don't know about other states, but Florida just got a huge bump in the reactional take of Red Snapper .Thanks to those who will actually read and consider these not through "colored" glasses. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
30 | 5/6/2021 9:25:46 | Bob Zales | info@southernoffshorefishermen.com | Ryan, Please provide the below to the ssc and all council members. Sorry for not figuring out mute/unmute as my laptop said it was unmuted. I wanted to speak about the red snapper economic discussion yesterday and also the red grouper interim analysis. On red snapper there was discussion and apparent concern of why there was little economic incitive to lease or purchase quota. Purchasing is a problem due to the high cost per share of $40 + per pound. As an example the current projected increase of the commercial quota of 151,000 pounds + - is equal to over $6 million in value. Most small businesses do not have that kind of capital to spend and those who own shares are not willing to sell. A critical problem is the fact that over 30% of the commercial quota is owned by individuals who do not own a vessel, a required permit, or any other requirement to fish quota. They only own, or have access to, a phone that they use 1 day a year to bring in several hundred thousand dollars of income due to the commodities market they have created. While there is a quota bank where a fisherman can supposedly lease quota, the problem here is that in order to lease quota one must join the shareholder alliance and agree to all their standards and positions of fishery management. Most do not agree with the shareholder alliance positions. Don’t agree, don’t receive any quota. Another problem is the high lease prices created by the 30% owners of quota of $4.50/pound and an ex vessel price per pound of around $5.50/pound. After payment of the user fee and other normal operating expenses the profit to the leaser is less than $0.50/pound making the leasing not worth the expense so they simply continue discarding red snapper, mostly dead. In other cases now some fish houses have bought up quota and offer to fishermen requiring them to sell only to that fish house. This is driving small family owned local fish houses out of business as they loose fishermen which also negatively affects the local fishing community social and economic impacts. The red snapper IFQ program has created severe social and economic impacts to small family owned fishing business, small family owned fish houses, and the local communities they serve. A more fair structure must be created or the fishery will be owned by investors and only large fish houses and fish operations will be involved, which will ultimately negatively affect the consumer. As the fishermen have stated for years, and the great red snapper count has verified, red snapper are abundant off the west coast of FL where the grouper commercial fishermen have long been encountering these fish and discarding the majority due to no ability to harvest them legally. The other important issue I wanted to discuss if the red grouper interim rule discussed yesterday. Current landing records show that during the first 4 months of ’21 the red grouper harvest is over 38% of the commercial quota. This is over 10% more than has been harvested over the recent years average. These fishermen have been providing testimony for the last 3 years that they were seeing many small red grouper and expected to see the harvest increase, which it has. This updated landings data must be included in all reports and conversations during the amendment 53 public hearing process and future council discussions. Any change in the current allocation between commercial and recreational sectors will mean the commercial sector will once again be punished as their quota will reached or exceeded before the end of ’21. The increase in landings is no surprise to the fishermen. Thanks, Capt Bob Zales, II Capt Bob Zales, II Fishery Management Consultant | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
31 | 5/17/2021 11:00:19 | Michael Carollo | carollomichael@gmail.com | Marco Island, FL | I fish out of Marco Island, Florida and would like to comment on the Red Grouper Allocation Catch Limits matter currently being considered by the council. I watched the entire video presented by Emily. Thank you for doing such a nice job explaining what the council is considering. Under the comparison of catch limits, I agree with the Council and vote for the Preferred Alternative 3 where the catch limits would be 60% commercial and 40% recreational (although someday I would like to see that reversed!). Under the Estimated Recreational Season I also agree with the Council and prefer Alternative 3 with the closure set for December 19th. All that said, I would like the council to consider one more action that might eliminate the need for a closure and still maintain a healthy red grouper stock... I suggest the council consider placing a maximum limit of red grouper per boat along with a per person limit. Perhaps cap the maximum at 8 per boat per day. I regularly fish with 1 or 2 people so my maximum with 3 people aboard is 6 red grouper. I am content with that. Recently I fished with a friend and we had 5 licensed people on the boat and we kept 7 red grouper and were more than content with that. I watch videos posted on YouTube and also see the offshore boats coming into my marina and see boats with 5 or 6 people coming back with 10-12 red grouper. Usually there are a couple of marginally legal ones in the mix. It might be better for the fishery if we capped it at 8. It would still make an offshore trip worthwhile for the recreational fisherman. I will always advocate for a higher percentage of red grouper be allocated to the recreational community as the facts are overwhelmingly supportive that the economic benefits gained by the recreational fishery far outweigh the commercial fishery. Furthermore, the recreational fishery introduces far more young people to the joys of fishing than anything the commercial fishery can provide. I travel 50 miles each way to get to the "grouper grounds" off Marco Island. I used to be able to catch a keeper red grouper 15 miles (in 45' of water). I was pleasantly surprised to catch a 21" red grouper in 60' of water this past March so I'm beginning to see a recovery happening. The red tide event of 2018 was devastating to our fishery and things are beginning to get better. I appreciate the efforts of the Council and will abide by whatever your decisions are on these matters. Michael Carollo | |||||||||||||||||||||||
32 | 5/18/2021 8:45:12 | Tom Hill | Fpitom@gmail.com | Naples Fl 34103 | Private Recreational Angler | I fish for Grouper 2-3 times a month. Offshore 50 miles to get to fish that meet size limit. If I’m lucky I will catch 2 out of 20 that meet limit. How is that over fishing? I think your catch numbers are made up to fit your plans. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
33 | 5/18/2021 9:25:25 | Mark Tryon | mdtryon82@outlook.com | Gulf Breeze,Fl,32563 | Private Recreational Angler, Commercial Fisher, IFQ Shareholder | The red grouper population is concentrated in the eastern gulf specifically off the west coast of Florida. In my area of operation off Pensacola they have been very scarce the past few years. I have yet to catch one of any size this year and have not heard of any landings in the private recreational or for hire fleet. As such any reallocation scheme would not benefit the gulf wide fleet of recreational anglers, only those based in the eastern gulf off Tampa, etc. We already have a 12 month season, 2 fish limit for red grouper which is generous compared to other species such as red snapper, triggerfish and amberjack. What is the end game here? It seems that an increase to 3 fish per angler would be excessive relative to the proposed reallocation so what would be accomplished? Meanwhile the commercial fleet and the American consumer would be negatively impacted by this scheme. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
34 | 5/19/2021 17:20:11 | Paul Reeves | Rfiseafood@yahoo.com | Steinhatchee, Fl 32359 | Commercial Fisher, IFQ Shareholder | Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Counsel Admendment 53 As a small scale Owner operator I feel anything other than Action 1 Alternative 2, will be detrimental to Commercial Red Grouper Fishermen. Reallocation based on recalibration penalizes Commercial Fishermen for staying within their quota, while rewarding the Recreational sector for exceeding theirs. Most Florida Commercial Reef Fishermen make the majority of their living on Red Grouper. How can you ask any industry to absorb up to a 16.7% reduction in their annual income, and up to 16.7% reduction on their investment of their business? Most of us have our life’s saving invested in this. Redistribution in allocation from the commercial sector to the recreational sector will also loose approx. 600,000 lbs.off the ABC due to recreational sectors higher discards. We were told IFQ would bring stability to the industry and that Young and New Entrants could buy and lease their way in to the fishery. Who would ever thought it came down to this. Please have the common sense to stand up for the small scale owner operators. Please vote for Action 1 Alternative 2. Paul Reeves | ||||||||||||||||||||||
35 | 5/21/2021 12:18:20 | Anthony Belmonte | abelmonte42@gmail.com | Seminole, FL 33772 | Charter/Headboat For-Hire | Over the last three years the red grouper fishing has been unbelievable. This fishery makes up 90% of my business and many of my friends businesses. Making the season shorter would put tons of for-hire fisherman out of business. WE SUPPORT THE CURRENT COUNCIL PREFERRED ALTENRATIVE 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
36 | 5/21/2021 12:21:38 | Trae Sorensen | Tournamenttrae@aol.com | St. Pete, FL | Private Recreational Angler, Charter/Headboat For-Hire | Red Grouper is our staple and needs to be open year round. Just drop to 1 per person if anything. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
37 | 5/21/2021 14:12:41 | Kirby O Klys | captnkirby1@gmail.com | FORT WHITE | retired commercial fisher | I am restating some of my previous comments with a few additions. 1) by reducing any allocation away from the commercial sector, you are killing the very people who America depends on to provide them with fresh red grouper on thousands of plates of hundreds of restaurants in Florida and elsewhere who have no other source of obtaining red grouper.2) The quality of the conclusions are in direct proportion to the data entered. Each person or family coming to Florida, impacts our economy in many and varied ways, lodging, dining out, shopping and enjoying other attractions while vacationing. This has to be huge. If current data suggests otherwise, as someone who has attended the MREP science workshop, I respectively would suggest a revision of the data input 3) the percentage of red grouper removed form the limited amount of active commercial fishers is extremely detrimental to their ability to survive, This same percentage spread amongst a vast number of recreational is not going to be a determining factor on whether or not they are going to have a fun day on the water. Going fishing recreationally for the "meat" involved is a very small factor amongst the many reasons for a fishing day. Plus Most states, particularly Florida, are getting a huge boost in the red snapper season this year. That's good, just don't kill the commercial guy. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
38 | 5/21/2021 16:04:17 | Joseph Greco | cappyjoe1@gmail.com | Gansevoort | Charter/Headboat For-Hire | Leave it alone. Too many changes on all these fisheries. There are tons of red grouper out there and the way the wind blows can't get Offshore many days anyway during peak season. Current regulations to be working just fine. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
39 | 5/21/2021 16:08:56 | Jim Orr | Jlorr60@gmail.com | Cape Coral, Fla 33904 | Private Recreational Angler | We catch many Red grouper shallow and deep for the last 2 years and have not caught one over 20 inches yet! | ||||||||||||||||||||||
40 | 5/22/2021 9:57:40 | Billy Archer | Bigtrig42@aol.com | Panama, fl 32408 | Charter/Headboat For-Hire, Commercial Fisher, IFQ Shareholder | My company supports the Council current option 3 in this document. Changing the current allocation 76% commercial 24% recreational will not help either sector. Thank you | ||||||||||||||||||||||
41 | 5/25/2021 9:21:39 | Bob Zales | info@southernoffshorefishermen.com | Commercial Fisher | On behalf of the members of SOFA I am sending this email. It has come to our attention that red grouper IFQs are becoming similar to red snapper IFQs in becoming a commodity market due to speculation. We understand investors from TX have purchased 60,000 pounds or more of red grouper for $12.50/pound and offering leasing at $1.50/pound. As of the end of last year shares were selling in the $7.00 + - range with leases $0.50/pound. What we see here is DeJa’Vu from red snapper. Speculators, those investors who have no responsibility to the fishery, only a phone and bank roll, not fishermen, are buying up quota simply to lease for pure profit. Since the COVID issue hit many have cash on hand looking for investments and when you look at IFQ fisheries like red snapper where there is better than a 10% return these folks are searching for good investments. Due to the fact that y’all have proposals to reduce the commercial allocation of red grouper by up to 16% which will seriously limit what can be harvested these folks see high profits from their investment by jacking up the lease prices. Fishermen who have spent money on their vessels, equipment, permit expenses, regulatory costs, regulatory training, safety gear expenses, and other costs are losing their ability to compete in these fisheries. Something needs to be done to eliminate being able to purchase IFQ shares unless you have a vessel with all associated responsibilities, a fish processor providing shares to vessels fishing for him/her. The ability of any U.S. citizen to own quota share must stop. Those individual investors who currently own share should be capped at their current level. We do not need another red snapper situation in the other IFQ fisheries. Thanks, Bob Capt Bob Zales, II Fishery Management Consultant | |||||||||||||||||||||||
42 | 5/29/2021 0:30:46 | Bill Fite | Bgfite@gmail.com | Panama City Beach, Florida | Private Recreational Angler | Dearest folks, I am an avid private vessel angler and spear fisherman on scuba. I live in the Inlet Beach vicinity of Bay County and fish similar gulf areas. I have targeted grouper as a specialty for decades, and until Hurricane Michael that meant focusing on red grouper. Gags were quite rare. I was well known for repeated 4 (red) grouper catches per trip, and then after Michael things began to change. Red grouper began to diminish. Fortunately Gag grouper began to show up in very acceptable numbers and remain today a robust and common catch in these same waters. Red grouper have become non existent to rare. Though I will still occasionally see a red grouper while diving, I have not caught a SINGLE red grouper over the course of this last year and a half in my traditional fishing waters in the northwest gulf in waters 55’-100’ deep. With this as backdrop, to have a red grouper 365 day season and 4 daily catch limit is nothing less than insane and poorly reflects the disconnect of our governmental regulators to the reality of our waters. You’ve got to be hearing his from others. I will say that as I travel 50-75 miles offshore the primary grouper catch remains red grouper, but in materially reduced numbers to a few years ago.. That said, your average private boat angler is fishing well within the 20-30 mile range from shore. Lastly, and equally disconcerting is the tepid trigger fish season restrictions. I’m not a trigger fish enthusiast at all. They are an immense nuisance fish to me, whether fishing or diving. Regardless, the entire region of ocean I fish and dive is swamped by triggers. And to have anything less than an open season catch ability on this species is equally out of touch with reality as the open season on the non existent red grouper. Anyway, I’m pleased to provide feedback and share comments in any way beneficial to your purposes. Sincerely, Bill Fite 850-775-6006 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
43 | 5/29/2021 19:55:36 | Christopher Garlasco | C.garlasco0834@gmail.com | Englewood, Florida, 34224 | Private Recreational Angler | It is becoming more difficult to catch legal size Red Grouper without having to go out 35 to 40 miles offshore of Stump Pass. Which indicates to me that this species of Grouper is being over harvested. New regulations extending size limits to that that of Gag Grouper and reduce angler take to one fish per day per angler, until such time as fish stocks regain a foot hold. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
44 | 5/30/2021 17:07:38 | Evan Sullivan | Sigarm13@yahoo.com | Ocala, Florida 34482 | Please open. They are over populated in many areas. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
45 | 5/30/2021 21:06:19 | William swanson | 205 High Point drive Fl | 34292 | Private Recreational Angler | I have been fishing off shore from the venice area for 25 years. I enjoyed the 4 red grouper limit for years then it changed to 2. I think that was a great move. You are doing a great job. I feel that was done accurately and I now believe there should be a moratorium on red grouper during the spawning season of March and April . Or April and May. What I uses to catch at 50’ now I need to go to 100’. What I used to catch at 100’ now I need to go to 140’. The improvements in sonar technology and the availability of trolling motor anchors have removed the skill of any fisherman and anybody can catch red grouper and they do. Please slow down the numbers of red grouper taken from the west coast of Florida waters. My grandson is 4 years old and he absolutely loves to fish. If you don’t slow down the numbers of red grouper harvested from recreational and commercial fisherman I am afraid there will not be any res grouper for my grand son. 20 years ago I hated the regulations but after I visited friends in Italy and their waters are void of any quality fish I have grown to appreciate the closures and seasons on our fishery so future generations can enjoy. The Greater amber jack are extremely hard to come by these days. I am afraid that will happen to red grouper if you don’t change the size requirements. Commercial fisherman should not be able to keep 18” while recreational Fisherman keep 20+ inches. I know all the commercial fisherman in this area. They are not hurting. In summery keep what you are doing. But quit the removal of red grouper during their spawning season which is around April give or take a month. Thank you. I am available to talk at any time at 941-716-4111 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
46 | 6/2/2021 14:02:20 | Gregory Pucci | Greg.pucci@steemer.com | Marco Island,Florida 34145 | Private Recreational Angler | I have been fishing red grouper for roughly 10 years. I think the present (2) day limit is sustainable and is where it should stay. If any changes maybe increasing the size limit from 18 commercial, 20 recreational up. 18-20 inch fish really don’t produce much meat. I also catch many undersized grouper while fishing, so not a problem with numbers. Really think it should be mandatory that people that fish for them are required to use devices “ weighted sequelizer” to bring the fish back down to a depth that they can survive. This would have a more positive effect on increasing grouper sustainability. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
47 | 6/3/2021 20:08:24 | Joel wilson | liveline00@yahoo.com | Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, 32459 | Private Recreational Angler | I just don’t understand the science behind any of the species counts that these decisions are based on. We all told the council on numerous occasions to count Red Snapper on the sand, natural bottom and man made structure when making stock assessments. That advice fell on deaf ears for most of the last decade and when the council finally did look other places for Snapper, guess what? The count had been off by a factor of 30 this whole time.... hard to trust those same people to tell us Red Grouper are in trouble. Triggerfish are another example of gross mismanagement by the council. We have so many in some places now that it’s hard to get even large live bait past them to get to the snappers and groupers. I want to help give feedback and always mail back in the questionnaires but it’s hard to put faith in the giant govt that the gulf council represents. Just close every species in the gulf for 5 years to all us rec guys so we don’t have to constantly worry about what fish we can keep and what the convoluted rules will be this year. P.S make sure to let the commercial guys continue to rape the fisheries and keep the catch share mafia happy so that the Minnesota tourists can get fresh Red Snapper whenever they need it. Sorry if I sound bitter I just think y’all need some fishermen on the council instead of bought and paid for bureaucrats. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
48 | 6/4/2021 9:22:02 | Ken Gerecke | trophy98@comcast.net | 32185 | Private Recreational Angler | The red grouper limits should not be changed. We catch many short red grouper (30-40 per trip), indicating that the stock is healthy. There is no indication, during our 20 or so trips per winter, out of Venice Inlet, that the stock is overfished. In fact, we rarely see other boats fishing in the 15-25 mile range that we normally fish. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
49 | 6/4/2021 9:49:21 | Joseph Mastandrea | Bronxidol1892@yahoo.com | Venice, Florida | Private Recreational Angler | We catch more than 2 dozen Short Red Groyper each trip and know that there are many RG’s out there that are over 20 in long . We catch them too. Please keep the limit the same....2 per Fisherman. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
50 | 6/6/2021 19:36:40 | George Michael Gore | Mikenmary12014@gmail.com | 33809 | Private Recreational Angler | I think the size limit needs to be lowered to 18 inches. That seems to be the common size caught. Also the aggregate could be increased to 6 Grouper per day. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
51 | 6/7/2021 9:31:52 | Brian Harris | HarrisElitelandscape@gmail.com | St Pete, FL 33714 | Private Recreational Angler | I strongly support current council preferred alt 3 in the red grouper public hearing document, please do not change this preferred alternative! | ||||||||||||||||||||||
52 | 6/7/2021 9:49:28 | Steve Papen | fintasticcharter@yahoo.com | Seminole, Fl, 33772 | Private Recreational Angler, Charter/Headboat For-Hire, Commercial Fisher, IFQ Shareholder | There are many, many problems with some of our fisheries. Being a recreational, full time offshore Charter and commercial fisherman in Madeira Beach for the past 25 yrs I believe I have a good finger on the pulse of our fishery. Red Grouper fishing in my opinion is the healthiest fishery we have here in the Gulf. 25 yrs ago it was pretty easy to catch a boat limit and now is not much different. A couple yrs back the commercial side started having problems catching their quota and immediately they blame it on an unhealthy fishery. Now this is just my .02 cents here but i believe their issue has much more to do with the quality of fisherman in that fishery. While there are still some phenomenal fisherman on the commercial side, it seems to me that since the IFQ’s started and the crews now have to make a lot less $ the quality of fisherman has suffered. It is my opinion that Red Grouper are not in any danger at all and no action should be taken on them at this time. Thank you for your time. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
53 | 6/7/2021 9:50:51 | Adam Homan | playinhookycharters@gmail.com | st petersburg | Private Recreational Angler, Charter/Headboat For-Hire | WE SUPPORT THE CURRENT COUNCIL PREFERRED ALTENRATIVE 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
54 | 6/7/2021 10:01:57 | James Brent Reed | brentreed1966@gmail.com | Pinellas Park, FL 33782 | Private Recreational Angler | We support the current council preferred alternative 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
55 | 6/7/2021 10:12:33 | Jeffrey Watkins | Captjeffwatkins@aol.com | Port Charlotte Florida 33953 | Charter/Headboat For-Hire | **I SUPPORT THE CURRENT COUNCIL PREFERRED ALTENRATIVE 3** | ||||||||||||||||||||||
56 | 6/7/2021 10:14:11 | Angela Watkins | Ang.kins@yahoo.com | Port Charlotte Florida 33953 | Private Recreational Angler | I SUPPORT THE CURRENT COUNCIL PREFERRED ALTENRATIVE 3** | ||||||||||||||||||||||
57 | 6/7/2021 10:15:38 | Brittany Strand | Watkinstireauto@aol.com | Port Charlotte Florida 33953 | Private Recreational Angler | I SUPPORT THE CURRENT COUNCIL PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE 3** | ||||||||||||||||||||||
58 | 6/7/2021 10:16:42 | Jaxon Watkins | Anchorsawaycharters@aol.com | Port Charlotte Florida 33953 | Charter/Headboat For-Hire | I SUPPORT THE CURRENT COUNCIL PREFERRED ALTENRATIVE 3** | ||||||||||||||||||||||
59 | 6/7/2021 10:20:24 | Joseph Wesley Diebold | duke00buck@yahoo.com | Apollo Beach, Florida 33572 | Private Recreational Angler, Charter/Headboat For-Hire, Commercial Fisher | I Captain for hire boats as well as work on commercial boats. If you reduce the commercial quota of red grouper to the commercial fleet you will put a lot of people out of business. As much as I love recreational fishing and for hire you cannot sacrifice the commercial fleet for recreational fishing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
60 | 6/7/2021 10:20:36 | Mike Wise | Fishwiseguy@yahoo.com | Englewood Florida 33948 | Charter/Headboat For-Hire | I SUPPORT THE CURRENT COUNCIL PREFERRED ALTENRATIVE 3** | ||||||||||||||||||||||
61 | 6/7/2021 10:32:30 | David Miller | Dm4gators@yahoo.com | Sarasota, fl, 34238 | Private Recreational Angler | Keep recreational open, limit it to 1 fish per person. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
62 | 6/7/2021 10:50:36 | Stephen Medina | Sme1333@yahoo.com | Hudson Florida 34667 | Private Recreational Angler | Keep red grouper season open all year | ||||||||||||||||||||||
63 | 6/7/2021 11:01:04 | James Berlin | Joey.berlin003@gmail.com | St Petersburg, Fl, 33707 | Private Recreational Angler | Throughout the whole year I use red grouper as a sustainable source of protein for my family. However, there are very many days that we do not take any home. During those trips we caught an over abundance of Red grouper between the 16”-19” mark. Every time I see a large amount of Red Grouper. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
64 | 6/7/2021 11:01:05 | Keith Neukam | Keith.neukam@yahoo.com | Madeira Beach, FL, 33708 | Private Recreational Angler, Charter/Headboat For-Hire | In the line of working with a business fishing charter, Red grouper has a huge impact! If we dont have the ability to keep red grouper our whole industry will see a huge decline in booked trips. Red grouper is our primary targeted fish 5-7 months out of the year if not more... please consider this comment | ||||||||||||||||||||||
65 | 6/7/2021 12:16:48 | Captain Brian Morgan | Captainmorganfishing@gmail.com | 33615 | Charter/Headboat For-Hire | "I support current council preferred alternative 3" | ||||||||||||||||||||||
66 | 6/7/2021 12:48:14 | Chad Hickman | Elcapitanosoffshore@gmail.com | Saint Petersburg, Fl 33707 | Private Recreational Angler, Charter/Headboat For-Hire, Commercial Fisher | I am a full-time charter captain in this area and also hold a commercial Reef Permit for the gulf. My main source of income comes from charter fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. With that in mind red grouper is our main fishery year-round in this area for charter fishing.I support alternative 3. Commercial fisherman have a lot more options to go catch and make money Charter guys on the other hand don’t have very many options due to the distance we have to travel to catch our fish and still be able to make money. Red grouper is a necessity for us it keeps us going around. Thanks Captain Chad Hickman | ||||||||||||||||||||||
67 | 6/7/2021 14:32:30 | Misty Neukam | Offshoreaddictcharters@gmail.com | Madeira Beach, FL, 33708 | Charter/Headboat For-Hire | WE SUPPORT THE CURRENT COUNCIL PREFERRED ALTENRATIVE 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
68 | 6/7/2021 16:48:01 | Chris Taylor | Chris@parkplacegarage.com | Treasure island do 33706 | Charter/Headboat For-Hire | . **WE SUPPORT THE CURRENT COUNCIL PREFERRED ALTENRATIVE 3** | ||||||||||||||||||||||
69 | 6/7/2021 17:36:00 | Daniel Medina | Captdanielmedina@gmail.com | Cape Coral, Fl 33914 | Charter/Headboat For-Hire | As a full time charter offshore charter captain based out of the Cape Coral/Sanibel/fort myers area, red grouper are our primary targeted species. Currently the stock in our area is healthy with both quality and quantity of fish. A closure of any sort would severely impact my fishing season as well as the rest of the captains in the Swfl area who depend on these fish to make a living. We are seeing fish of all sizes, from mature legal fish in the 20-30+ inch range, as well as a good quantity of sub 20” fish which will soon be of legal harvesting size. I recommend that a thorough updated stock assessment be completed before changing any regulations for the recreation/for hire industry. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
70 | 6/7/2021 17:37:47 | Richard Matthew Warren | Rick@mobcharters.com | ENGLEWOOD | Private Recreational Angler, Charter/Headboat For-Hire | I'm in Favor of Alternative #3 Thank you. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
71 | 6/7/2021 19:56:36 | chad unger | teamnph@aol.com | Naples, FL 34112 | Private Recreational Angler, Concerned U.S. Citizen | As always your data is wrong just like it was in 2015. Just like your red snapper data has always been. Oh and then there was your lane snapper data from two years ago. In 2015 Capt. Michael Avinon, Rick Murphy of Sportman's Adventure, and one of the then FWC commissioners filmed a show all about red grouper. The show proved that the red grouper stocks were strong and I am sure they can prove it again today. I do understand the concern, but your data again is off. If you want to fix the red grouper stock first fish with professionals like the ones mentioned above for accurate data. Second keep the bag limit but change the size limit. Make 24" the legal size for red grouper just like gag and black groupers. Sure this will frustrate some people but it is going to create more breeders and help the stock grow faster rather then shutting it down or cutting allocations. Also you say that red tide negatively impacted the stock. So rather then cutting allocation and hurting the fisherman, why don't you also go after the cause of the problem which is Lake O and the red tide. I would venture to say you won't go after red tide cause of your ties with big sugar, but we can save that conversation for another day. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
72 | 6/7/2021 19:59:14 | Chad Hickman | Elcapitanosoffshore@gmail.com | Saint Petersburg, FL 33707 | Private Recreational Angler, Charter/Headboat For-Hire, Commercial Fisher | Would love to know why the 18” size limit is still a commercial limit for Red Grouper? A 2 pound fish should not be sold! What would that do to help with the quota problems? Not to mention the 13” red snapper limit. It’s a joke….. #3 is for me. Don’t penalize the charter guys this room tonight is heavy commercial!!!! | ||||||||||||||||||||||
73 | 6/7/2021 22:41:50 | Scott Hickman | Listodos@gmail.com | Galveston Tex 77573 | Charter/Headboat For-Hire, Commercial Fisher, IFQ Shareholder | Vote no action on amendment 53. Should not reward a sector for overfishing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
74 | 6/7/2021 23:17:38 | Ceilia Litchfield | ceilialitchfield@yahoo.com | 33707 | Charter/Headboat For-Hire | We need red grouper season to be open year round | ||||||||||||||||||||||
75 | 6/7/2021 23:19:06 | Brandon Vaughan | captbran27@gmail.com | 33707 | Charter/Headboat For-Hire | WE SUPPORT THE CURRENT COUNCIL PREFERRED ALTENRATIVE 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
76 | 6/7/2021 11:10:38 | stephen j maisel jr. | maiseltown@live.com | palm harbor fl. 34683 | Commercial Fisher | amend. 53 should be thrown out it is wrong and is certainly not fair and equitable !!! The recreational sector should not be rewarded for the over fishing that has occured and continues to occur. The council should be focused on rebuilding the red grouper stock from its historically low level and working to clean up our water quality in an effort to slow down the prolific red tide events . I am in complete support of the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders Alliance letter to the Gulf Council on this matter and support the implementation of Action 1,Alternative 2. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
77 | 6/8/2021 0:24:36 | Gary Jarvis | huntingmayor@gmail.com | Destin Fl 32540 | Private Recreational Angler, Charter/Headboat For-Hire, Commercial Fisher, IFQ Shareholder | I encourage you to support and vote for the Gulf Council preferred alternative 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
78 | 6/8/2021 6:49:57 | Joseph W Diebold | duke00buck@yahoo.com | Apollo Beach Florida 33572 | Private Recreational Angler, Charter/Headboat For-Hire, Commercial Fisher | After viewing the Gulf Council's Presentation on Amendment 53 I am STRONGLY OPPOSED to Management Action 1 Alternative 3. This alternative will destroy the Commercial Industry in Florida. I respectfully request that the Council consider either Alternative 2 or Alternative 6. Thank you for presenting this information to us. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
79 | 6/8/2021 7:29:33 | Joseph Abdo | jmabdo2020@gmail.com | Madeira Beach, FL | Commercial Fisher | (I OPPOSE amendment 53 alternative, and suggest alternative 2/6 in lue of destructive 3). Madame/sir, my name is Joseph abdo I’m a first generation commercial fisherman I entered the commercial fishery in 2009, I Fish out of Madeira Beach Florida. I own three commercial long line vessels I have worked my tail off to own these three boats I wmploy many crew annually. over the years Red Grouper has been and is 80% of my fleet’s production and cornerstone too my business. I invested millions of dollars in shares before 2015 only to see them cut by 65% I could no longer carry the notes in debt towards those shares, there wasnt enough allocation too land and pay the lender. I was forced to sell those shares at a lot less than I had purchased them for on the loan and I still owe money on those loans, and I make payments towards them too date. my story is that my family and I rely heavily on leasing Red Grouper allocations annually and if 600,000 pounds are taken through alternative 3, which is the preferred option, this will greatly and catastroohically, negativly effect my small business and destroy countless jobs and efforts. Please for the love of God, coider, and select a less destructive and penalyzing alternative too the commercial sector, alt 2 preferably, or at the very least alt 6. The science is not concrete, recreational sector has been over fishing and unaccounted for for decades, we have done our very best as commercila sector with organizations to represent us, multiple efforts tons of expenses to be accountable please don’t penalize us, do not destroy our family’s well-being and our security taking 600,000 pounds and Red Grouper away, I beg of you to reconsider this awful alternative 3, thank you, Joseph Abdo gulf fresh inc | ||||||||||||||||||||||
80 | 6/8/2021 7:38:04 | Francisco Silebi | franciscosilebi@yahoo.com | 32826 | Private Recreational Angler, Charter/Headboat For-Hire, Commercial Fisher, IFQ Shareholder | I support the current council preferred alternative 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
81 | 6/8/2021 8:49:54 | Katelyn Neukam | Katelyn.neukam@gmail.com | Madeira Beach, FL 33708 | Charter/Headboat For-Hire | WE SUPPORT THE CURRENT COUNCIL PREFERRED ALTENRATIVE 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
82 | 6/8/2021 9:21:16 | Mark Vinson | Lineslider10@gmail.com | Ocala florida 34476 | Private Recreational Angler | We should keep at 2 or even increase to 3 there are plenty of fish to catch and this wouldn't hurt the overall catch. However I believe that the commercial fishery should be lowered i understand its a business but you punish the everyday angler and promote the commercial guy us they kill more fish that are under size than the everyday angler. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
83 | 6/8/2021 9:39:51 | Douglas Godwin | Lovetofish1960@hotmail.com | Pt Charlotte, fl. 33981 | Charter/Headboat For-Hire | A closure like this will devastate the charter fishing for offshore. You will destroy our income. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
84 | 6/8/2021 10:55:30 | Frank Ventimiglia | sanibeloffshore@yahoo.com | Fort Myers Florida 33908 | Charter/Headboat For-Hire | I support the Alternative 3 option | ||||||||||||||||||||||
85 | 6/8/2021 10:56:26 | Ken Lindquist | peezermarine@yahoo.com | Cape Coral Florida 33901 | Charter/Headboat For-Hire | We support alternative #3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
86 | 6/8/2021 13:45:23 | Stephen Medina | Sme1333@yahoo.com | Hudson Florida 34667 | Private Recreational Angler | Keep red grouper season open all year | ||||||||||||||||||||||
87 | 6/8/2021 14:21:00 | Elton Derrick Knepp | Kneppsenterprise@gmail.com | Sarasota, FL 34240 | Private Recreational Angler, Commercial Fisher | The most important problem I see in the commercial fishing industry over the past 30 years is this. If we catch a lot of fish it means we are overfishing and it must be halted. If we don’t catch a lot of fish, we have now overfished the species and it must be halted. The red grouper fishery is better than I have ever seen it in over 30 years. Why then are we being subjected to more quota reductions when the current conservation efforts have proven successful. I recommend NO further reductions in a well regulated industry. Sincerely, Elton Derrick Knepp | ||||||||||||||||||||||
88 | 6/8/2021 19:40:10 | Derrick Knepp | Kneppsenterprise@gmail.com | Sarasota FL 34240 | Commercial Fisher | I prefer Alternative 2. All commercial fishermen would agree that the red grouper stock is better than it has been in 30 years. Why would you reduce catch limits? For those of you that can not catch a grouper over 20”. You should seriously consider a different hobby. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
89 | 6/8/2021 21:33:29 | Jeff watkins | Captjeffwatkins@aol.com | 33953 | Charter/Headboat For-Hire | Just curious what do you expect us to do when a Red Grouper closer will kill our business for 6 months . Will you be sending us checks ? We pay for permits , turtle gear , vms systems , and so on . What does the recreational have to pay for ? Nothing . For hire should’ve their own allocation and recreational should’ve the closed season . That is the right thing to do . We for hire do this to feed our families . | ||||||||||||||||||||||
90 | 6/9/2021 0:45:00 | Bill Dantuono | bild62@gmail.com | 34112 | Private Recreational Angler, Charter/Headboat For-Hire, Commercial Fisher, IFQ Shareholder | A small group of influential stakeholders and non stakeholders have taken control of Red Grouper quota, just as they have with Red Snapper. They have used the council to tighten the Vice and push for alternative 3 thus driving up the price of red grouper allocation. This is a criminal act and violates the MSA on many levels. These small groups with large dollars and influence have abused the IFQ system for years and represent a tiny fraction of the fishermen who rely on RG for their livelihood. Changes must be made to ensure the longevity of the true commercial fisherman and not the interests of the deep pockets. Push for alternative 2 ... and also push for sector separation for CFH and RG. Why should CFH be lumped into the Rec sector who has little to no reliable available data? | ||||||||||||||||||||||
91 | 6/9/2021 7:33:11 | Bob La Barbera | flfishingbob@gmail.com | Venice, FL | Yes, I'm confused by all that is said . But let me send my experience for the last 15 years fishing out of Venice, Florida . Back around 2010 there was no problem going out to 80 to 90 FOW and harvesting 4 RG per person and getting your limit.. Today you will have to go 100to 110 fow with a RG limit of 2 per person and not always get your limit..I have noticed that under 50 fow you will catch a lot of small RG. It seems to me they are doing good in the younger size. I think we should concentrate more on the size .If it's true that commercial fishing could keep them at 18" than that should be changed to 22'' .Also for the rec fisherman the size limit should be 22" . A grouper doesn't breed until 20 " If not increase the size then it should be only one RG at 20"..Also a descending device should be mandatory for all charter and rec. fisherman. Commercial fishing should be reduced if the recreational use is reduced. To summarize ,the RG has decreased a lot in the last 15 years and something has to be accomplished for the future. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
92 | 6/9/2021 7:34:19 | Robert Dorchak | conquerthegulf@gmail.com | Ft Myers, FL | Commercial Fisher | My name is Blake Dorchak, and I am part owner of Conquer the Gulf,LLC and captain of vessel Victoria a rod and reel fishing boat. I am from Fort myers , FL which is southwest florida.i am here to discuss the issue why yall should not take 600000lbs of red grouper from commercial quota to recreational. First reason red grouper allocation is impossible for me to find to go fishing. I have no red grouper allocation because no one is selling it that I can afford. I need red grouper allocation or I will not go fishing I will lose money if I do. This is my livelihood and yall want to take away more pounds from us(commercial fisherman) that is bull shit. Yall aloud outsiders to come in and take over the fishing industry with the stupid ifq program which does nothing for statistics. I am not going to have a business soon because of all this.. I will be forced to open a fish market so I can stay afloat in business. That is only way a first generation fisherman will make it commercial fishing in the Gulf. Yall destroyed the commercial fishing industry except for a handful of fishermen... | ||||||||||||||||||||||
93 | 6/9/2021 7:35:10 | Blake Dorchak | blakedorchak55@gmail.com | Venice, FL | Commercial Fisher | My name is Blake Dorchak, and I am part owner of Conquer the Gulf,LLC and captain of vessel Victoria a rod and reel fishing boat. I am from Fort myers , FL which is southwest florida.i am here to discuss the issue why yall should not take 600000lbs of red grouper from commercial quota to recreational. First reason red grouper allocation is impossible for me to find to go fishing. I have no red grouper allocation because no one is selling it that I can afford. I need red grouper allocation or I will not go fishing I will lose money if I do. This is my livelihood and yall want to take away more pounds from us(commercial fisherman) that is bull shit. Yall aloud outsiders to come in and take over the fishing industry with the stupid ifq program which does nothing for statistics. I am not going to have a business soon because of all this.. I will be forced to open a fish market so I can stay afloat in business. That is only way a first generation fisherman will make it commercial fishing in the Gulf. Yall destroyed the commercial fishing industry except for a handful of fishermen... | ||||||||||||||||||||||
94 | 6/9/2021 21:08:59 | Bill D’antuono | bild62@gmail.com | Naples, florida , 34112 | Charter/Headboat For-Hire, Commercial Fisher | Alternative 2 favored Lumping the unreliable data Rec sector in with the Charter for hire is like participating in a group project and then one side takes all the credit (Rec) and gets rewarded for it Fix the broken and corrupt IFQ system | ||||||||||||||||||||||
95 | 6/9/2021 21:22:58 | Trenton Knepp | trent350@comcast.net | Nokomis | Commercial Fisher, Dealer | I fully support option 2. The grouper population is in great shape. This is my best year yet. We aren't able to find any red grouper ifq at the moment. Any reduction in ifq would bankrupt my business. Please save my business!! My wife and children deserve better than an unemployed fisherman. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
96 | 6/10/2021 9:43:02 | Jesse Allan Zuban | jazunan@yahoo.com | Port Richey, Fl. 34668 | Private Recreational Angler, Charter/Headboat For-Hire, Commercial Fisher | I support the current council preferred alternative 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
97 | 6/10/2021 9:48:05 | Jesse Mathew Zuban | jmzuban@yahoo | Port Richey Fl 34668 | Private Recreational Angler, Charter/Headboat For-Hire | I support the current council preferred alternative 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
98 | 6/10/2021 9:49:52 | Stacey Donna Anne Zuban | Staceyjanke@gmail.com | Port Richey Fl 34668 | Private Recreational Angler, Charter/Headboat For-Hire | I support the current council preferred alternative 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
99 | 6/10/2021 10:01:50 | Brian McCullough | Brian.mccullough@hotmail.com | Crestview,FL 32539 | Private Recreational Angler | I used to fish a lot.i know find it too difficult with all the regulations, rules, seasons, release rules, length changes and everything else you guys have changed. Unfortunately I bought a lifetime license before all of this had changed. I wish now I could get a refund. Thank you. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
100 | 6/11/2021 0:05:42 | Andrew tomlinson | Andrewtommy05@gmail.com | Port Richey Fl 34668 | Charter/Headboat For-Hire | I support the council preferred alternative 3. |