Organizers of the fight to stop the pending closure of shallow-water grouper fishing in the Atlantic and in the Keys as of Jan. 1 say that Washington D.C. is now listening to their concerns.

“Roy Crabtree has agreed to come down and talk to us about the closure,” says Captain Bill Kelly of Islamorada. “I put together a meeting of a group of concerned charter captains, including Bouncer Smith of Miami and Richard Houde of Key West, and we’re going to meet Wednesday, Oct. 15th at the Islamorada Fishing Club. The meeting will be hosted by the Islamorada Charter Fishing Association.

“Crabtree said that he understands that this is a hot issue, and I told him that it’s more than a hot issue, it’s boiling. We told him that we know that he can stop the closure or change its particulars, and that’s why we want to speak with him,” said Kelly.

Additionally, Secretary of Commerce, Carlos Gutierrez, whose office will ultimately sign or deny the closure, has confirmed that there will be a teleconference Friday, October the 17th, including the Secretary, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Capt. Andy Griffiths, for the recreational contingent, and Scott Zimmerman, Executive Director of the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen.

“We are prepared to litigate the case if necessary,” reiterated Kelly. “On Wednesday, October 8th in Miami, Capt. Bouncer Smith held a public meeting to build support in South Florida. We have been in discussion with attorneys Jose Bofill and Greg Oropeza.”

In order to stop the closure by legal methods, the group will have to file for declaratory relief before Dec. 1, when the rule is slated to be filed in the federal registry.

Kelly urged anglers to send letters and make calls right now to get their message across to D.C. representatives. “We need these offices crammed with your letters before this conference call on October 17th. Take these points and put them in your own words. Decorate them and make them personal. Letters from the heart score so much more; call before and after you send the letter.”

Organizers suggest concerned anglers and business owners, including hoteliers and restaurateurs along the coast and in the Keys, should contact the following representatives:

US Department of Commerce
Secretary Carlos Gutierrez
1401 Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20230

Follow-up with a call to make sure they've received your letter: (202) 482-2000

Duane Harris
Chairman
South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council
4055 Faber Place Dr, Suite 201
N. Charleston, SC 29405

Kim Iverson
Public Information Officer
South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council
4055 Faber Place Dr, Suite 201
N. Charleston, SC 29405

Sarah Gamino
Legislative Director
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (FL-18)
2160 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-5620

Contacts for Keys-wide protest of the pending closure:

Charter captains Andy Griffiths, of Key West, and Bill Kelly, of Islamorada, have been at the forefront of efforts against the closure, but many other citizens are now joining their call for a reconsideration of the shutdown. Captain Andy Griffiths can be reached at: (305) 797-2639; fishandy@fishandy.com. Call Captain Bill Kelly at (305) 394-5333. In Miami, Capt. Bouncer Smith’s number is (305) 573-8224; captbouncer@bellsouth.net. Rob Harris, owner of Conchy Joe’s Bait and Tackle in Key West, can be reached at (305) 295- 7745.

To learn more about the meeting and to stay updated on news about the closure, check the FS Forum’s South General and Keys General sections.