A federal “concept paper,” following in the footsteps of the Papahânaumokuâkea protected areas off Hawaii, could force fishermen out of prime fishing areas in the Gulf. The proposal derives its name from a series of potential, yet-to-be-chosen “island” Marine Protected Areas (MPA) scattered throughout the Loop Current. Some of the areas suggested include Flower Garden Banks NMS, NW Gulf Reefs and Banks, Madison Swanson, Florida Middle Grounds, Steamboat Lumps, Pulley Ridge and Florida Keys NMS.

This discussion paper by the National Ocean Service has recently been circling through federal agencies. Read it: www.thefra.org/GoMex_discussion_Nov_21_07.pdf

At a recent Gulf Council meeting, an employee of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Sanctuaries Program wrongly indicated that the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) supported the proposal. The ASA has talked with NOAA on the subject, and spoke with the President’s Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) as well, but issued a release declining support for Islands in the Stream.

“ASA does not intend to support any proposal that will diminish recreational fishing opportunity in the Gulf of Mexico—or any other location—and will firmly oppose any proposal that does so.”

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council sent a letter to the Department of Commerce “concerned about the process used to develop these proposed MPAs, and the lack of public involvement during their development.”

The MPA Federal Advisory Committee (FAC) echoed similar concerns to involve the public and follow the proper procedure. “The recommendations developed by the MPA FAC to promote a national system of MPAs stress the need for a logical, public process. We believe that the specific proposal for the Gulf of Mexico, as well as the development of a national system of MPAs in general, will be weakened if these guidelines are not followed.”

To see the Islands in the Stream draft, or the two letters to the Department of Commerce go to www.thefra.org, click on F’ISSUES and scroll down to the bottom of the page.