Response from Sen Lemieux to my letter on recreational fishing

[sammythebu11]

So far he is the only one that has responded....

Thank you for sharing your views regarding the Ocean Policy Task Force's national ocean and Great Lakes policy proposal. I appreciate hearing from you and would like to respond to your concerns.

On September 10, 2009, the White House Council on Environmental Quality's Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force released a report proposing the development of a national policy for conserving and managing the United States ocean territory and the Great Lakes. The policy seeks to ensure the health and security of the ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes. However, the report fails to mention the enormous economic impact recreational fishing has on our nation and Florida. Our state is home to over one million recreational fishermen which, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service, provide over $5 billion to local communities.

I shared your concerns to the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Dr. Jane Lubchenco, regarding the need for the federal government to improve its outreach and include recreational fishing in the Task Force report. She committed to appointing a senior policy advisor that will report to her on issues of importance to the recreational fishing community. Recreational fishing is a huge part of Florida's economy and way of life, and I expressed to her my serious concerns about new fishing restrictions and closures. I am fully aware of the importance of this issue for our state, and I will continue to support the recreational fishing community.

It is an honor and privilege to serve the people of the great State of Florida in the United States Senate. I take great pride in being a native Floridian, and I look forward to the tremendous opportunity to better the lives of all Floridians. I assure you I will work hard to represent our state to the best of my ability in the U.S. Senate. If I can be of any further help to you, please do not hesitate to contact me.


Sincerely,

George S. LeMieux
United States Senator

[quack quack]

Very cool!!!

[Uncle Buck]

But of course... as with all politicians' speeches... We can only hope that what they claim is true.

[Tackle Engineer]

Originally Posted by Uncle Buck

But of course... as with all politicians' speeches... We can only hope that what they claim is true.

at the least its an answer

[mneptune]

Better than the generic BS letter you usually get from a politician. Let's see if he can deliver....

[sammythebu11]

apparently there is action behind his words, not common for a politician, maybe he hasn't been long enough in DC to become numb....

November 4, 2009
LeMieux Calls for Review of Restrictions on Florida Recreational Fishermen

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator George LeMieux (R-FL) today secured a commitment from the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that she will appoint a senior policy advisor to improve relations between NOAA and the recreational fishing community. Senator LeMieux also highlighted the need for the federal government to review restrictions on recreational fishing.

"Recreational fishing is a huge part of Florida's economy and way of life. Floridians have adhered to the limits of fishing standards, and those standards have worked. Now they're trying to change those standards without listening to the communities most impacted. Before we create a new policy, there needs to be more discussion, review, and public input," said Senator LeMieux. "I have serious concerns about the information the National Marine Fisheries Service is using to set new fishing restrictions and closures. I am hearing from fishermen in Florida that the information is not accurate and possibly opposite to the scarcity reports being used to create these fishing standards."

NOAA has placed new restrictions and early season closures on the Grouper, Snapper, and Amberjack fisheries, significantly impacting recreational fishermen. Senator LeMieux made his comments during a Senate Commerce subcommittee hearing this morning.

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) was tasked by the White House Administration to create an Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force for reviewing ocean policy management. This task force was charged with developing recommendations that include a national policy for our oceans, coasts and the Great Lakes, a framework to improve Federal policy coordination, an implementation strategy to meet the objectives of a national ocean policy, and a framework for effective coastal and marine spatial planning. Senator LeMieux also raised concerns during the hearing to both the Chair of the CEQ and NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, that the economic benefits of recreational fishing were omitted from the Task Force's Interim Report.

[bajakian]

Nice job Sammy! Way to go Brother!!!

[Disco Lady]

:toas t:

DL,

[GT Fish]

Originally Posted by bajakian

Nice job Sammy! Way to go Brother!!!

[sammythebu11]

It's not over....
now WE need to put some pressure on Jane Lubchenco to get our voice to be heard... I think we should all send letters to her to get her to take action.

[mneptune]

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