FWC to consider banning all permit harvest.

[Ed Walker]

The minority opinion group ( 10% out of 179 voters according to the recent Florida Sportsman survey) that wants permit harvest banned in Fla has been hard to at work lobbying for it. Discussion of thier proposal has now been added to the official FWC agenda for the April meeting in Tallahassee.
[ http://myfwc.com/COMMISSION/20...r.htm ]
The whole thing is kinda rolling along below the radar of most sportfishermen. Before you know it permit harvest could be banned even though there is zero scientific evidence there is any problem with the population whatsoever or that the current regulations are not working. Having corresponded with Bonefish and Tarpon Trust representatives (who are the primary group behind this whole idea) it is my opinion this is more an emotional issue pressed by the Keys flats fly guides who do not take permit. BTT is grossly misinformed and uneducated about who takes permit, how many are taken, and thier range in Florida.
The people who do like to take a few permit home for dinner should take a moment right now and drop a note to the FWC commissioners stating thier opinions and observations of the population status. The email address is listed below.
Please mention this movement to all the other fishermen you know. The FWC is generally a pretty fair management body IMO, my fear is that they are unaware of the overwhelming public opposition to the suggestion of banning permit harvest.
IMO enough fish have been taken away from Florida anglers. We certainly dont need to ban harvest of one thats population is thriving under the current regulations to appease a handful of fly casting purists.

The minority opinion group ( 10% out of 179 voters according to the recent Florida Sportsman survey) that wants permit harvest banned in Fla has been hard to at work lobbying for it. Discussion of thier proposal has now been added to the official FWC agenda for the April meeting in Tallahassee.
[ http://myfwc.com/COMMISSION/20...r.htm ]
The whole thing is kinda rolling along below the radar of most sportfishermen. Before you know it permit harvest could be banned even though there is zero scientific evidence there is any problem with the population whatsoever or that the current regulations are not working. Having corresponded with Bonefish and Tarpon Trust representatives (who the primary group behind this whole idea) it is my opinion this is more an emotional issue pressed by the Keys flats fly guides who do not take permit. BTT is grossly misinformed and uneducated about who takes permit, how many are taken, and thier range in Florida.
The people who do like to take a few permit home for dinner should take a moment right now and drop a note to the FWC commissioners stating thier opinions and observations of the population status. The email address is listed below.
Please mention this movement to all the other fishermen you know. The FWC is generally a pretty fair management body IMO, my fear is that they are unaware of the overwhelming public opposition to the suggestion of banning permit harvest.
IMO enough fish have been taken away from Florida anglers. We certainly dont need to ban harvest of one thats population is thriving under the current regulations to appease a small group of individuals.

Commissioners@MyFWC.com

FS survey link- http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum....37586






FS survey link- http://outdoorsbest.zeroforum....37586