Gag grouper fishing to face quota

ST. PETERSBURG - Fishing regulators voted today to restrict off-shore gag grouper fishing despite objections from commercial and recreational anglers.

The tentative ruling will not be confirmed until the next quarterly meeting in April to allow time for public hearings and written comments. The rules would then be posted in the Federal Register for further comment. The earliest they would go into effect is late 2008, said Roy Crabtree, administrator of the National Marine Fisheries Service's Southeast region.

The restrictions would close down recreational grouper fishing for three months in the winter, just when tourists arrive. Anglers would be limited to one gag per trip, and three grouper total. Commercial fisherman would face a quota on gag for the first time, with limits tight enough to shut down the entire grouper fleet every year by October or so -- forcing restaurants and consumers to rely on imports.

The restrictions are designed to reduce gag fish in the Gulf of Mexico by 45 percent. They apply to federal waters, which begin nine miles from shore, but the State of Florida typically matches such rules for inshore fishing as well.

Today's vote by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council comes one day after several hundred anglers, charter boat captains and marine supply store objected to the new restrictions.

Go here for more on the proposed restrictions and here for more on grouper, the Gulf of Mexico fish that is a something of an icon at Tampa Bay area restaurants.

-- Steve Nohlgren, Times staff writer

Comments

[matt]

As if FL's economy is not bad enough. Lets kill tourism too. Just the allure of catching the grouper keeps many tourists comming and trust me i've been on many large and private charter's their not hurting the numbers. Surely there is a more balanced approach.

[Steve]

It's too bad it has come to this but it has to be done. Charter boat customers have savagely diluted the fishery. They've just pilaged the grouper population. Let Grouper fishing be a sport enjoed by all for many years to come.

[CaptainBob]

Restrictions on 1 type of fish is hardly going to kill the economy. Besides, if the fisherman, both commercial and recreational, had fished responsibly, these restrictions would not be necessary. In the long run the restrictions will benefit the economy while allowing stocks to rebuild.
Ask anyone from New England what happens when you continue to fish beyond sustainable means. After many years of commercial extintion the Atlantic cod fishery is just now beginning to come back.
Responsible fisheries management is a must to keep our economy going and keep fish stocks healthy.

50 miles roundtrip 50 gal fuel 150$ 30 for bait 10 ice 10 tackle 15 motoroil 215 2people 2fish 107$ per fish anybody want to buy a boat? cheap