REDFISH ALERT!

CCA FLORIDA DOES NOT SUPPORT ANY OF THE FWC RULE CHANGES FOR REDFISH. FLORIDA’S REDFISH MANAGEMENT PROGRAM HAS BEEN A HUGE SUCCESS UNDER THE CURRENT SET OF REGULATIONS.

IT DOES NOT NEED ANY CHANGES!

CCA Florida strongly recommends that the Commission continue current statewide regulations of one fish bag limit, 18 – 27 inch slot, open year round season, no commercial take. CCA Florida does not support the FWC staff recommendation to create north and south management zones in order to increase north zones to a 2 fish bag limit.

FWC Commissioners will take final action next week at their April 6th meeting in Havana, Florida. Please email the Commissioners and urge them not to change their successful redfish plan! marine@myfwc.com

The data from the current FWC stock assessments does not support an increase in redfish take. As shown in the FWC escapement charts regarding escapement rates on the east and west coasts from the past assessments the escapement rate has been steadily declining over the last 20 years. At the same time, as shown on the FWC’s fishing effort graphic the fishing effort on both coasts has steadily and dramatically increased. The west coast annual trips went from just under a half million trips to 2 million trips. The east coast trips went from about ¼ of a million trips to 2 million trips annually. It is clearly obvious that the long term upward trend in effort, coupled with any increase in bag limits will cause more rapid declines in escapement resulting in a failure to achieve the resource goals.
CCA Florida is also urging the FWC Commission to defer action until the new 2011 Redfish stock assessment is complete.

Florida’s redfish program does not need any changes. CCA Florida does not support any increases in bag limits.

For more information please contact – Ted Forsgren CCA Florida at (850)224-3474 or email tforsgren@ccaflorida.org