Recreational Fishermen Again Fighting Gulf Grouper Restrictions

November 12, 2005

Release from: Associated Press

NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. - Recreational fishermen are challenging a proposal for a one-month ban on grouper fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and permanent limits on the amount people can catch and keep.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is seeking to prohibit recreational fishing for all types of grouper from Feb. 15 to March 15. The council also is expected to vote Wednesday on the issue of reducing the per-trip bag limit for grouper from five to three - only one of which can be a red grouper.

Federal regulators fear that grouper are being overfished. Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration showed that recreational fisherman exceeded the red grouper quota in 2004 by 138 percent.

But the proposed rules are opposed by Floridians who make a living off recreational fishing, such as charter boat captains. Florida tourists spend more than $26 million a year to fish in the gulf off charter boats, but this year captains are battling the negative effects of red tide, rising fuel prices and the busy hurricane season.

Recreational fishermen avoided one planned closure when a federal judge overturned a two-month ban on recreational grouper fishing in the gulf that had been scheduled to begin Nov. 1.

"Even the threat of a closure is harmful to the fishing industry," said Capt. Troy Sapp, vice president of the Florida Guide Association.

The Coastal Conservation Association of Florida, which represents hundreds of recreational fishermen, urged members to voice opposition to the proposal, said Ted Forsgren, the group's executive director.

Forsgren wants the council to accept the recommendations of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which regulates fisheries in state waters extending up to nine miles into the Gulf.

State regulators, fearing economic damage, have refused to ban grouper fishing in state-regulated waters.

"More than 90 percent of grouper caught in the Gulf is landed by Florida fishermen, but federal regulators have virtually ignored the state's recommendations," Forsgren said.

The restrictions struck down by U.S. District Judge John E. Steele on Oct. 31 had established a closed season for grouper in November and December in federal waters that start 10 miles offshore in the gulf, and reduced the daily bag limit of the fish from two to one.

Steele ruled federal regulators overstepped their authority by including all grouper species in the closure.