Offshore fishing and spearfishing this weekend again is threatened by high winds and bumpy seas. Decent grouper catches have been found on ledges and wrecks in 100 to 120 feet.
The Gulf of Mexico Marine Fisheries Council's Secretarial Amendment 1 is a 290-page document that discusses different ways to reduce the commercial and recreational impact on red grouper. Proposals range from reducing recreational red grouper take from five to two per day to creating a closed season for recreational grouper. This amendment states that the gag grouper fishery may be targeted by commercial long-liners in an effort to make up for a 10 percent reduction in their red grouper quotas. To get a copy of Secretarial Amendment 1, contact Phil Steele at 727 570-5305 or email Phil.Steele@noaa.gov
You have until April 20 to voice your opinion. Send letters to Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council, the Commons at Rivergate, 3018 U.S. 301 N, Suite 1000, Tampa, FL 33619-2272.
- Bill Hardman teaches scuba, spearfishing and free diving through Aquatic Obsessions Scuba in St. Petersburg. Call (727) 344-3483.
