Posted on 11/09/2009 12:59:31 PM PST by Vob
PANAMA CITY BEACH — The Jimi Hendrix version of the Star Spangled Banner was playing out of one of the vessels and it was a cool, clear day on the Bay near Hathaway Bridge but Saturday’s gathering of charter boat captains was not a party.
It was their last stand, local captains and their supporters said.
See photos from the protest >>
New regulations from the National Marine Fisheries Service of amberjack and red snapper are destroying the local fishing industry, the captains said. About 50 boats, including small two-man skiffs, large pleasure boats and mid-size trawlers took part in the watery protest. On the bridge, supporters waved signs and thanked dozens of motorists who honked their support.
“We’re all about conservation,” Capt. Bill Little said. “We don’t want to rape the resources. We want to do what’s right.”
Little runs the Fishing Express in Port St. Joe.
The new restrictions were instituted by scientists who are relying on old and outdated data, the captains said. One supporter held up a sign that said, “Get the data right.” Another sign, on one of the boats, said, “Flawed data, no fish, no income, no jobs.”
Jim Crowell said he ran a charter fishing business for 20 years until the regulations forced him to sell and find a new line of work.
“They have pretty much closed the industry,” he said. He added that there are dozens of for sale signs on local charter boats.
Peggy Rhodes, a longtime charter fishing customer, also came to the protest Saturday.
“We just want a fair shake,” she said. She also predicted that the destruction of the charter fishing industry would have far-reaching consequences for hotel owners, restaurants and others who make their living off tourism.
“It’s ridiculous,” she said.
More Obama stimulus.
It occurs to me that these ‘scientists’ quite frequently appear in public to shop, go to the movies, get their cars repaired.....
Well, that IS the plan. My grandchildren will see recreational fishing come to an end in their lifetimes.
The article is sorely lacking in who, what, when, where, etc. Who is putting out the regs, what data, when and where do the regulations cover, etc.
The Panamanian and Guatamalan fishers don’t give a damn about American regulations. They get chased off the Florida coast all the time but nothing is ever done to fix the problem.
Here is a good link. You may find it of interest.
http://www.gloucestertimes.com/fishing/local_story_250222440.html
I bought my boat in Panama City. Wish I could have been there.
WE will see it end in OUR LIFETIMES!..................
I have a feeling more will be coming so you might get your chance to help. The protest numbers are estimated at around 10,000 which is amazing with it only having been planned for a week. The news media is playing down the numbers.
They would be in the way of the Chinese Oil Drilling Rigs off the coast of Florida.
(/S)
I wouldn't doubt it. But I figure I'm a goner as soon as Obama(don't)care passes.
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