Bottom fish closures. Really?

You can’t make this stuff up; yes, it could really happen.

I’m still acquiring details, but the current 46th Secretary of Commerce is proposing Amendment 59, which covers bottom fish closures for Florida waters for three months to help rebuild fish stocks. Specifically, the proposal is for federal waters from the Florida/Georgia line south to Cape Canaveral to be closed to fishing from December through February for 55 species, mainly bottom fish.

The secretary’s justification is that the South Atlantic Council has failed to do its job in advancing red snapper recovery. Released discards of fish that die from barotrauma and shark depredation are wasting more fish than the total allocation. It’s required by the Magnuson Act to aid in stock recovery in a timely manner. It could also allow a longer, six-day red snapper season for rec anglers.

This would totally shut down fishing on federal waters of the southeast coast Atlantic waters. It’s scary to consider this could be a precedent for similar actions in the Gulf. I’m not predicting anything, just FYI. It’s probable the new administration and secretary will alter or trash this amendment. Just note this is real.

Imagine a total closure for several months. This is scary stuff, and no, I’m not making this up. The justification, as I’m told, is the SA council has not acted on the recovery steps necessary for red snapper recovery. Like it or not, we have guidelines that councils are required to follow. My guess is the American Sportfishing Association will address this and delay or prevent its actual implementation.

This is an extreme example of the power these regulatory bureaucrats carry. They are not elected to office but appointed. Our Gulf of America/Mexico Council members and State of Florida Fish and Wildlife Commissioners are also all appointed. At the Federal level members can be lobbied in groups, but Florida’s Sunshine Laws prohibit Commissioners from discussing any management items except in public meetings. This means commissioners can only discuss the complex management of fish, wildlife, endangered species, and so much more at the quarterly meetings. Three days to cover everything! They care and do the best they can with guidance from FF&WCC Staff.

While I don’t believe this will happen, it is an example of the massive control they exercise over our lives and businesses. Imagine the impact on our local economies a three-month fishery closure would impose on marinas, boat sales and service, bait and tackle shops, resorts, restaurants, and much more. These drastic measures could literally cripple our lives by shutting down our local economy. What if this happened to us now after three hurricanes and red tide?

These regulators are required to factor in their rules’ economic impacts, but they seem to ignore this fact. Please don’t misunderstand, I get we need regulations, but the staff, researchers and management folks lack the ability to understand the complex implications of their rulemaking. How can someone with a secure paycheck with full benefits understand individuals who depend on weather, economies, fish stocks, equipment maintenance, and much more? We save in better times, but few ever acquire wealth while they are fishing.

As the three groups exhaust energy arguing with each other over their fair shares, we all fail at ensuring our future fishing. We must work together to protect the fish.

Capt. Van Hubbard’s column Hook, Line and Sinker began in the Boca Beacon in 1988. He lives in Placida. Email him at captvanhubbard@gmail.com