Long Liners

[Anonymous]

At last nights meeting a flyer was circulated that basically said that exeption pertments may be issued that would allow longliners to come back and fish closed waters.

This is a letter I typed and faxed to The management Division responsible for issuing permits. The Fax # is 301 713 1917.

DR. BRUCE S. GIMBEL
1907 NORTH ANDREWS AVENUE
WILTON MANORS, FL 33311
PHONE (954) 567-1924
FAX (954) 567-1924



January 28, 2004

Highly Migratory Species Management Division
Dr. Roger
1315 East-West Highway
Silver Springs, MD 20910

Re: Longlining Permit

Dear Dr Rodgers,
Long lining was banned from certain regions in the United States due to over fishing. Researchers did numerous studies and found that most of the migratory (pelagic) species were in danger of a major collapse, especially in the Florida Straits.

Bans were put into place and certain fish stocks are now finally starting to recover. Why in God’s name would you be willing to issue permits for longliners to fish again in closed areas? Here in South Florida there has been over 20 years of longlining before the closure in the Florida Straits was instituted. This closure was due to the major collapse of swordfish and other migratory species stocks.

A 20-year history of longlining in the Florida Straits has shown that Longlining is detrimental to all of the migratory fish stocks. Why do you think experimental permits to allow longliners to come back into areas closed is going to have a different outcome? Remember history will repeat itself unless we stay strong. Keep the ban in place. Due not issue any Exempted Fishing Permits to allow pelagic longline vessels to fish within areas of U.S. water that have been closed. Do not allow U.S. longline
Vessels to be exempt from any U.S. conservation and management regulations while fishing in waters of other countries.

Sincerely,



Dr. Bruce S. Gimbel

[Vinnie]

Nice, It is important to make sure there is no long lining in the Florida Straits.
It's also extremely important that we all report or START reporting our catches.

If you have any questions on how to report your catch call: 954-420-5001