A previous Online Cast, “FL Offshore Drilling Moratorium Threatened,” explains how the 24-year-old, bipartisan outer continental shelf drilling moratorium is threatened by Senator Mary Landrieu’s (D-LA) bill S1026. Senators Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Mel Martinez (R-FL) went to bat for their home state, opposing the Outer Continental Shelf inventory provision in the energy bill in an effort to preserve perhaps Florida’s greatest natural assets--its beaches and marine fisheries. The senators say there’s potential for an agreement with Senate leaders that would extend bans on drilling off Florida's coast through at least 2012.

Sadly, oil interests shot down the Nelson-Martinez-Corzine amendment to get rid of the Outer Continental Shelf inventory provision from the Federal Energy Bill earlier this week.

This decision could create access issues as well as pollution issues for anglers. Also, the negative impacts of underwater seismic explosions and the other invasive techniques used to conduct the inventory could damage fisheries dependent upon a healthy marine environment.

The most important thing that concerned anglers can do is thank Senator Nelson and Martinez and urge them to keep up the fight. The Energy Bill has not yet passed through the senate; so there is still opportunity to improve the bill, so let them know they have the support of the recreational fishing community. Senator Mel Martinez: Phone: (202) 224-3041; Fax: (202) 228-5171 Senator Bill Nelson: Phone: (202) 224-5274; Fax: (202)-228-2183

FS