Capt. Jim Brincefield
05-12-2009, 12:35 PM
First of all, please come to the meeting tonight and speak against the proposed Grouper and Tilefish regulations. If you can't make it, please file written comments. YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN FISHERIES MANAGEMENT IF YOU GET INVOLVED!
I got 25 pages from VMRC which consisted of 3 documents:
1. A power point presentation entitled "Update on Actions in Snapper Grouper Amendments 17 and 18" by Rick DeVictor, SAFMC Council Staff, dated April 16, 2009. This was a program presented to the MAFMC (16 pages)
2. Fisherfies Management Division Evaluation (4 pages) with attached proposed regulations (3 pages) and attached letter from Steven G. Bowman (although signed by Jack Travelstead) to Rick Robins, Chairman, MAFMC dated March 30, 2009 (2 pages)
3. Another copy of the same letter that was attached to 2., above (2 pages)
Nothing really new in the documents, but one thing really jumped out at me was there is no request whatsoever from SAMFC for VMRC to do anything. So basically, the VMRC is trying to head SAMFC at the pass by showing them they are taking a proactive stance. If there was such a request it could have been made by e-mail which I couldn't get because they cost a lot of money to get them.
The last paragraph of the letter requests that the MAFMC "establish a separate, northern management unit for the deep water snapper-grouper complex, with the MAMFC having the lead on the northern unit". The letter continues "If no action is taken by the MAMFC, and the range is extended northward, our fishery will be eliminated by Amendment 17's prohibition on fishing deeper than 40 fathoms".
One can only assume that the VMRC has made the political decision to "kick the can down the road" and put their eggs in the MAMFC basket rather than telling SAMFC to pound sand. So either they think their chances of stopping the SAMFC train are slimor some other deal was made which we are not privy to. I would like to say it is the former, but I am a suspicious person by nature, so I fear the latter.
I read Capt. Jakes' comments about the trawler angle theory and I asked that question directly to a VMRC official that I trust (yes, I did just say that) and he told me that there was no deal. So, in the absence of any evidence a deal was made we must proceed at face value. So, how do we stop it?
VMRC will make a better partner in our lawsuit than an enemy. I feel if we sue them and the SAMFC and the NMFS at best they will sit on their hands and at worst the could just say "no fishing past 40 fathoms". So my plan is now to get everyone organized for a fight and take along VMRC either willingly or by necessity and hope they will stand and fight with us.
I have been unable to hire a lawyer who will take our case on a contingency basis. I have found a lawyer to take our case who is very experienced in these cases but there will be enormous costs. So we need deep pockets. I am working on getting some deep pockets - unlike mine that have holes in them. Heck, I'm so broke the stores won't even take my cash!
So, our argument now becomes a federal matter to get a judge to say that our Groupers and Tilefish are NOT being overfished (unlike the states to the south of us) and convince a judge to let our state and our council manage them. That can be accomplished a number of ways but it's an uphill battle.
At any rate, that is where we stand. It's far more complex than this little synopsis, but time is of the essence as I am writing my grand speech to save the planet.
I got 25 pages from VMRC which consisted of 3 documents:
1. A power point presentation entitled "Update on Actions in Snapper Grouper Amendments 17 and 18" by Rick DeVictor, SAFMC Council Staff, dated April 16, 2009. This was a program presented to the MAFMC (16 pages)
2. Fisherfies Management Division Evaluation (4 pages) with attached proposed regulations (3 pages) and attached letter from Steven G. Bowman (although signed by Jack Travelstead) to Rick Robins, Chairman, MAFMC dated March 30, 2009 (2 pages)
3. Another copy of the same letter that was attached to 2., above (2 pages)
Nothing really new in the documents, but one thing really jumped out at me was there is no request whatsoever from SAMFC for VMRC to do anything. So basically, the VMRC is trying to head SAMFC at the pass by showing them they are taking a proactive stance. If there was such a request it could have been made by e-mail which I couldn't get because they cost a lot of money to get them.
The last paragraph of the letter requests that the MAFMC "establish a separate, northern management unit for the deep water snapper-grouper complex, with the MAMFC having the lead on the northern unit". The letter continues "If no action is taken by the MAMFC, and the range is extended northward, our fishery will be eliminated by Amendment 17's prohibition on fishing deeper than 40 fathoms".
One can only assume that the VMRC has made the political decision to "kick the can down the road" and put their eggs in the MAMFC basket rather than telling SAMFC to pound sand. So either they think their chances of stopping the SAMFC train are slimor some other deal was made which we are not privy to. I would like to say it is the former, but I am a suspicious person by nature, so I fear the latter.
I read Capt. Jakes' comments about the trawler angle theory and I asked that question directly to a VMRC official that I trust (yes, I did just say that) and he told me that there was no deal. So, in the absence of any evidence a deal was made we must proceed at face value. So, how do we stop it?
VMRC will make a better partner in our lawsuit than an enemy. I feel if we sue them and the SAMFC and the NMFS at best they will sit on their hands and at worst the could just say "no fishing past 40 fathoms". So my plan is now to get everyone organized for a fight and take along VMRC either willingly or by necessity and hope they will stand and fight with us.
I have been unable to hire a lawyer who will take our case on a contingency basis. I have found a lawyer to take our case who is very experienced in these cases but there will be enormous costs. So we need deep pockets. I am working on getting some deep pockets - unlike mine that have holes in them. Heck, I'm so broke the stores won't even take my cash!
So, our argument now becomes a federal matter to get a judge to say that our Groupers and Tilefish are NOT being overfished (unlike the states to the south of us) and convince a judge to let our state and our council manage them. That can be accomplished a number of ways but it's an uphill battle.
At any rate, that is where we stand. It's far more complex than this little synopsis, but time is of the essence as I am writing my grand speech to save the planet.