As a lifelong recreational fisherman I applaud the Times and Terry Tomalin for his recent series of articles exposing the dark side of the gulf longline fishing industry and questionable fishery management practices. Tomalin's most recent article exposes another convicted poacher and felon as part of the apparatus used to manage our fisheries. Thanks for exposing the fact that our tax dollars are paying convicted poachers to act as observers on longline boats and collect data.
The little guy has known for a long time that the gulf council decisions just don't add up. Who knows how many common skeletons the National Marine Fisheries Service and Southern Offshore Fishing Association have in the closet?
-- Jim Gillespie, Melbourne Beach
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Regarding Terry Tomalin's recent stories on the fishing industry, it's a shame this has gone on for so long. The more the truth comes out, the more we all shake our heads in disgust. Thanks for staying on top of this.
-- Dan Addison, Tampa
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Jim Leavitt is right: USF fans should make a statement to college football officials. But it's not the one he's hoping for. USF fans should avoid the Meineke Car Care Bowl.
USF does not deserve to be in a bowl game. It is bad enough that 6-5 teams can get an invite. It is even worse when one of the wins is against a Division I-AA opponent. Bowls were supposed to reward teams for winning seasons. Now, the bowls are just a way for conferences to make money.
Most bowls now are not for the fans, they are for the universities and sponsors. Fans need to send a message that the bowl system is faulty.
-- Calvin W. Boaz, Clearwater
[Last modified December 18, 2005, 01:31:20]
