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Old 12-09-2013, 10:38 PM   #16
Ballenita
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Re: What is up with this spearfishing closure at Biscayne National Park?

Thanks Tony for showing up and supporting us.
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Old 12-10-2013, 12:22 AM   #17
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Lightbulb Re: What is up with this spearfishing closure at Biscayne National Park?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ballenita View Post
Thanks Tony for showing up and supporting us.
Thanks Henry! It was great to see and hear so many spearos making our case.

One retired fellow there who goes to all the meetings told me this meeting had the most feedback from the spearfishinmg communuity.

Here are a few pics so others can see what it was like and try to go to the next two days of public meetings.

Tony
















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Old 12-10-2013, 09:05 AM   #18
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Arrow Re: What is up with this spearfishing closure at Biscayne National Park?

Please look at the attached two image pages from the November FWC powerpoint to get a feel for how restrictive this action will be with ONLY 500 permits, no trigger spearguns and no scuba spearfishing.

The bottom line is they should NOT discriminate against spearfishing based on gear type or take method. They should regulate all forms of fishing based on size limits, catch limits and closures. And as one speaker pointed out the very low number of 500 permits is essentially a ban on fishing.




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Old 12-10-2013, 10:34 AM   #19
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Re: What is up with this spearfishing closure at Biscayne National Park?

I am glad that I went to this meeting and that some of the divers I dive with showed up. I was pleased with the turnout and the diverse representation. Very good points were brought up and hope they make a positive impact.
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Old 12-11-2013, 08:37 AM   #20
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Arrow Re: What is up with this spearfishing closure at Biscayne National Park?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rootbeer View Post
Thank you Tony for your support and being there tonight.
You came a long way to help us Miami Spearos and Spearas. ty
Tomorrow's meeting is in Florida City so we will do our best to rally
as many ppl to join us in the fight for our backyard rights...
It was great seeing you there Root Beer!

For everyone inclined to go, please do so.

Tonight is the last night:

December 11, 6-9 p.m. - Holiday Inn Key Largo, 99701 Overseas Highway, Key Largo, FL 33037

Tony
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Old 12-11-2013, 08:37 PM   #21
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Re: What is up with this spearfishing closure at Biscayne National Park?

Thanks Tony it awesome meeting you too!
I finally got enough nerve and guts to speak on
the second day... There was a reporter that approached
me as soon as I walked in the door and asked me a few
questions and really pushed me to go up and speak so I did...
I was so nervous! Public speaking is not my thang! lol but I did it
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Old 12-11-2013, 09:08 PM   #22
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Thumbs up Re: What is up with this spearfishing closure at Biscayne National Park?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rootbeer View Post
Thanks Tony it awesome meeting you too!
I finally got enough nerve and guts to speak on
the second day... There was a reporter that approached
me as soon as I walked in the door and asked me a few
questions and really pushed me to go up and speak so I did...
I was so nervous! Public speaking is not my thang! lol but I did it
Good for you. I think it is extremely important that the regulators hear from women spearas and family people like you.

Thanks for doing that. Tony

.
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Old 12-12-2013, 05:39 PM   #23
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Re: What is up with this spearfishing closure at Biscayne National Park?

Hey Rootbeer, that was awesome. Thanks from all of us!
Henry
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Old 12-12-2013, 09:13 PM   #24
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Re: What is up with this spearfishing closure at Biscayne National Park?

Thanks Ballenita and Thanks Tony <3 When anybody
hears what they plan to do plz keep us posted...
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Old 12-14-2013, 02:47 PM   #25
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Re: What is up with this spearfishing closure at Biscayne National Park?

Here are some old pics of catches from Elliot key.Most were speared incoming tide drifting.The Snook was caught hook and line on a pilchard in Ceasar creek.Girls are my wife and sister on deck at Ceasars creek.I love this area.
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Old 12-16-2013, 01:10 PM   #26
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Re: What is up with this spearfishing closure at Biscayne National Park?

Our only hope is to comment before February 20th.

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/commentF...cumentID=56275

Please help this go viral; media, online, clubs, shops, family & friends:

Biscayne National Park GMP
National Park Service
M. Elmer (DSC–P)
PO Box 25287
Denver, CO 80225-0287

COMMENTS ON: Biscayne National Park Supplemental Draft General Management Plan / Environmental Impact Statement- November 2013

I ask that the BNP GMP adopt Alternative 1: No Action. The BNP GMP Alternatives 2 thru 7 (the Plan) are not supported by the best information available, the Plan discriminates against spearfisherman, the Plan is not fiscally responsible, the Plan presents undue human pressure on the Park’s environment and marine species, and the Plan creates safety hazards to recreational spearfisherman, snorkelers and divers.

I recommend that you incorporate better information readily available into your management plan, consider Effects of Spearfishing on Reef Fish Populations in a Multi-Use Conservation Area Ashley J. Frisch, Andrew J Cole, Jean-Paul A. Hobbs, Justin R. Rizzari, Katherine P. Munkres, - Published: December 12, 2012 - which concludes that, “To minimize the effects of harvesting (fishing, spearfishing or other) on target species and to enhance protection of functionally important fishes (herbivores), we recommend that fishery managers adjust output controls such as size- and catch-limits, rather than prohibit spearfishing altogether. This will preserve the cultural and social importance of spearfishing in coastal communities where it is practiced.”

The information available in the GMP Appendixes Coral Reef Fish Assemblage Shifts and Declines in Biscayne National Park, Florida, USA does not support the GMP no take zones. It concludes that the declines in Biscayne National Park are “assemblage-wide” and so are not attributable to harvesting, fishing or spearfishing as any different from the overall decline observed in all species; “Declines of fishery-targeted species were also observed and were consistent with but not greater than those observed for the reef fish assemblage as a whole. The observed declines appeared to be assemblage-wide”.

The GMP discriminates against recreational spear fisherman; the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Jan 10, 2011 letter to Biscayne National Park, notes that the GMP is not enforceable as they restrict the public’s right to fish in a manner not provided by Florida Law.

Florida Law 379.2401 Marine fisheries; policy and standards. – (1) The Legislature hereby declares the policy of the state to be management and preservation of its renewable marine fishery resources, based upon the best available information, emphasizing protection and enhancement of the marine and estuarine environment in such a manner as to provide for optimum sustained benefits and use to all the people of this state for the present and future generations.

Yet spearfishing is beneficial to the park to control the invasive Lionfish species, while having no bicatch, and no impact on non-target species and reef, and the other marine environs. So why does the BNP GMP discriminate against spearfisherman?

The GMP no take zone is actually over 50% of the current fishing area of the park (as opposed to a % of the entire park), so the GMP no take zone doubles the pressure on the rest of the Park, and its marine environment. Doubles the pressure on swimmer / boater safety, no anchor zones exacerbate safety issues, limited buoys add to the safety problem, and higher boat traffic pressure in the remaining diminished area make for disastrous bodily injury and personal liability.

The BNP’s Elliott Key Harbor and Campground is closed “until further notice”, yet the BNP GMP budget includes a $4.8 million dollar Miami Visitor Center without economic justification, no operating budget; and no site plans. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is concerned that the Miami Visitor Center will be built, “within or adjacent to the Critical Wildlife Area” on Virginia Key (GMP Appendix). The BNP should also be concerned that Virginia Key’s sewage plant is currently under litigation due to a lack of planning for rising waters. Miami does not need another “build it and they will come” fiasco.

I recommend that you include your constituents in the next BNP GMP to formulate a better way to educate and enforcement the current park regulations while lobbying for improved management of the fishery. Include our community Universities (FIU, UofM, etc), include our community commercial lobsterman and fisherman (the BNP GMP will bankrupt this industry), include our community Dive Shops (the GMP will devastate this business), include our community fisherman and spearfisherman as they spend more time and know the oceans better than you do. I urge that you acknowledge the importance of the Biscayne National Park to our local community. Adopt Alternative 1: No Action.

Sincerely,
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Old 12-18-2013, 04:51 PM   #27
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Re: What is up with this spearfishing closure at Biscayne National Park?

I have been AWOL from the board for a couple weeks and just saw this post. Thank you Tony, Rootbeer, marine_jor, and all others for attending the meetings and representing the community. I just posted my comments, thank you freedivemike, and asked my friends to do the same.
If the regulations go through, and permitting is in place, I wouldn't be able to afford the charter to take my kids with me, probably not even go myself. To all of you making contact with players in the industry and in government, huge thanks for looking out for little people like myself and God's awesome playground here in Miami.
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Old 01-31-2014, 07:41 AM   #28
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Re: What is up with this spearfishing closure at Biscayne National Park?

Florida Sportsman had an article this month addressing this topic again. They were hinting toward the alternative 6 which includes permits and non-trigger spearing. Anyone hear anything more?
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Old 02-16-2014, 11:26 AM   #29
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Re: What is up with this spearfishing closure at Biscayne National Park?

This system is broken. Watch this video to see my take on the matter:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=k9evQ3_vVq8
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Old 02-16-2014, 11:27 AM   #30
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Re: What is up with this spearfishing closure at Biscayne National Park?

Pretty soon youll be able to substitute every species for "red snapper"

Thinking back on it the progression the last few years frightens me. I personally have spent 1000's less in local costal economies due to the arbitrary new grouper rules. My 2-4 trips on private charters into the GOM in the winter suddenly became pointless when the marquee species is suddenly, only legaly obtainable to me from a grocery store, whos conservation practices have been deeemed at the stroke of a pen superior to my owm.

Thanks guys for all the comments, however the writting is on the wall, this is what the big $$$ wants and thats what theyll get.

How about closing "all commercial harvest" or cutting the bag limit in half. Instead of an outright closure?? The Bias and junk logic stinks of fishy business.

Not sure why link wont post up.
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Last edited by Spearooo; 02-16-2014 at 11:36 AM.
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