Anyone going tomorrow?
Without flexibility in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act we could possibly see closures to many other fisheries. Remember these closures and harvest numbers are being based on fatally flawed data. Just look at the MRFSS harvest numbers for the bay in recent years. For 2009 recreational anglers supposively harvested nearly 3x the number of fish during the Trophy season then they did in 2008 (during a season that the vast majority of anglers reported average at best)
http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisherie...vest_FINAL.pdf
The combination of poor data and no flexibility in the Act have lead to the sea bass closures and others in the South East. These closures not only prevent opportunity to fishing for these fish to recreational anglers who have invested large portions of their incomes to participate in fishing for these species but raise havoc on the industries that supply us. Head boats, marinas, tackle shops, boat rentals, hotels, restaurants, etc. that all feed off of recreational angling can easily be eliminated from our economies over these closures.
MRFSS was never intended for its current use fisheries management and the Data that these hard closures are being based on has been called "fatally flawed" by the National Research Council. Recently Sen Schumer from NY even called for a "Moratorium on the Use of Flawed survey data. (see here for more info:
http://www.mssa.net/newsarticles/news10schumermrfss.pdf )
If you have the ability to meet in DC at the capital tomorrow from noon to 3pm, please show your support for Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2009
Reminder- United we fish rally
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