Is anyone planning to attend the June SAFMC meeting in Florida?
Is this the one for the VMS vote?
Yes it is. I was planning to go until I spoke with some council members last night. It sounds like we have VMS beat. I still might go if I can raise enough money. Everyone should still send an email to the council asking them not to pass VMS even if you already submitted comments. safmc@safmc.net
Here is a rough draft of my comments for the June meeting. Feel free to use all or part of it in your own comments.
June 2013 SAFMC Meeting Public Comments
I am Chris McCaffity, a commercial fisherman who believes it is important to offer positive solutions that limit waste, feed more people, produce more revenue, and protect our fisheries for future generations.
I would like to start by asking the council not to pass Amendment 30?s Vessel Monitoring System law. We are celebrating Flag Day this week. Our American Flag stands for freedom and honors those who gave all defending it for us. Passing a Vessel Monitoring System law of questionable Constitutionality would dishonor our Flag and Veterans. Passing Amendment 30 against overwhelming public opposition would also jeopardize the good-will intentions of the council?s Visioning Project and the Marine Research Education Program that are intended to get stakeholders more involved in the management process. There are ways to monitor any vessel entering closed areas without violating our Constitutional Rights and adding additional financial burdens on beleaguered commercial fishermen.
Next, I would like to touch on Regulatory Amendment 14. Triggerfish and Black Sea Bass quotas should be split into two six month seasons starting on May 1 along with shallow-water grouper. The first Vermilion Snapper season should also start on May 1 to align with other openings to avoid excessive Regulatory Discards. Triggerfish should have a 1,000 pound possession limit until 75% of a seasonal quota has been landed. The possession limit should be reduced to 300 pounds for the final 25% of each seasonal quota to avoid extended closures like we could see this year. Small Trigg