Two attempts to shut down important areas of recreational fishing will come before the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission next week in St. Petersburg.

One is the federal emergency rule that shuts down all grouper fishing during November and December, a move that will cost close to $190 million in "foregone income" among charter captains and related activity, causing the loss of hundreds of jobs on the west coast of Florida. The FWC is expected to follow through on its position to refuse to adopt the grouper closure in state waters, which would save some grouper fishing, mostly for gags, out to 9 nautical miles.        

The other proposed shutdown would close indefinitely recreational fishing in the western half of the Tortugas National Park, promoted by the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The FWC as well as the Florida Cabinet will be considering the no-fishing request.     

Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher, a Florida Cabinet member, already has stated opposition to the closure, writing, "It would be a mistake to take a step backwards and close one of our most attractive sporting attractions."        

Florida Sportsman and the Coastal Conservation Association of Florida strongly oppose both the red grouper shutdown and Tortugas closure on grounds that flawed, and often non-existent, research does not support such drastic action in view of healthy fish stocks that already are flourishing.        

FS The issues are expected to come up Sept. 22, but interested persons should check the agenda briefings at http://myfwc.com/commission/2005/Sep/index.html

FS