quote:I don't get it. For some reason, you are still trying to convince me that floaters die. I don't care. I need you to show me in writing where John Carmichael says that if we use the Seaqualizer that quota will be raised. How much more clear can I say it?
Originally posted by freefish7skinneej, I told you that I did ask John and the council to consider reducing discard mortality allocations based on the circle hook mandate. They are doing it in the Gag Grouper assessment now. I have provided the link to scientific data showing the longterm survival rates for fish released with Descending Devices. This data shows that all floaters die. I am not disputing that most bottomfish survive if they can swim back down. The difference for fishermen and consumers between natural predation and dead Regulatory Discards is that the latter are deducted from our Total Allowable Catch. We have a TAC for Red Snapper this year of almost 700,000 pounds. Recreational and commercial fishermen combined will only get to keep around 100,000 pounds if we are lucky and the rest will be allocated to dead discards.
http://www.pcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/D5b_SUP_GMT_POWERPOINT_APR2013BB.pdf
skinneej, I am trying to get you and others to understand that the precedent has been set for giving back quota based on voluntary use of Descending Devices and we need to ask the SAFMC to do the same for us. We can’t get anything in writing if we don’t ask. It has 10 times more impact if 10 fishermen ask instead of just me. Have you looked at the link I provided showing how the PFMC is giving back quota based on the SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN FACT that Descending Devices greatly improve survival rates of fish that would otherwise die? http://www.pcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/D5b_SUP_GMT_POWERPOINT_APR2013BB.pdf
You may not care if our resources are wasted, but do you care if they close the Georgetown Hole and other areas in your back yard?