How will we protect tomorrow?

The state ponders a plan to manage saltwater fishery through public workshops.

By TERRY TOMALIN
Published January 19, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - Florida is heralded as the "Fishing Capital of the World." But will there be fish to catch in 10 years? Twenty years? Thirty years?

"Mullet and red drum don't live in a vacuum," said Mark Robson, director of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Division of Marine Fisheries.

Habitat loss, declining water quality, fishing pressure and natural variables such as Red Tide must all be considered when developing a management plan, Robson told a group of recreational and commercial fishermen gathered Wednesday in St. Petersburg.

The workshop, one of seven scheduled through February at various locations around the state, is the latest in the state's effort to develop a comprehensive approach at managing Florida's $6-billion saltwater fishery.

"Some people say they would be happy if we could just hang on," Robson said. "But if we are going to have snook 20 years from now, cranking down the regulations may not be enough."

In November 2004, state officials began developing a vision for Florida marine management when they asked 70 stakeholders from the recreational, commercial and conservation sectors to share their thoughts on the greatest threats to Florida's fisheries.

The three groups disagreed on many points, but they shared some common ground when it came to one issue. According to an overview of the draft vision document, the top priority:

"To paraphrase a common theme among the stakeholders, 'It's the habitat, stupid.' "

More than 80 percent of all recreationally and commercially viable species need sea grasses, salt marshes or mangrove shorelines at some stage of their life cycles.

"How much mangrove shoreline do we need to maintain in order to have a snook fishery?" Robson asked rhetorically. "That is something that we have to find out."

And the stakeholders agreed there must be comprehensive ecosystem management. Several in the audience Wednesday suggested that city, county and state officials consider potential impact on fisheries when approving development.

And the board agreed that more research is needed for better management.

"It all comes down to money," said Scott Moore of Holmes Beach, one of the state's best-known snook guides. "Everybody should pay their share to protect the resource."

The idea of "pay-as-you-go" support for fisheries is nothing new. Under Florida law, tens of thousands of anglers who fish from land are exempt from licensing laws.

An annual saltwater fishing license costs $13.50, about the price of two movie tickets. Fishery managers think that requiring land-based anglers to pay a share of the management costs could raise millions for research and enforcement.

Another area those who participated in the previous workshops agreed upon was increasing funding for the FWC. The state now has only one staff member who studies the economics of recreational and commercial fisheries, a crucial step in securing future funding. And the FWC has just one person to oversee and check the landings and books of all commercial vessels and fish houses in Florida.

Robson acknowledged that the state could do a better job of managing Florida's fisheries in federal waters, most notably grouper and snapper stocks.

"As it stands now, under the Fishery Management Council system, Florida is just one of five states with a voice," Robson said.

Many recreational anglers think the state should have greater input in the management of species, such as red grouper, landed primarily in Florida waters.

In regard to management tools, some in the audience expressed reservations about the increased use of Marine Protected Areas, sensitive environmental areas such as the Dry Tortugas where commercial and recreational fishing are prohibited.

"I think MPAs are a tool we need to look at," Robson said. "They are not a panacea. They are not a cure-all."

Several in the audience criticized the system of collecting recreational fishing data.

The state and federal government collection systems differ in methodology, but Robson acknowledged that both could use improvement.

In regard to size and bag limits, Robson said, the state will take a closer look at release mortality in the coming year. Many fishermen, commercial and recreational, think the stocks would be better served by allowing higher bag limits and lower slot limits if it would reduce the number of fish that die upon release.

Robert Simpson, a mullet fisherman from St. Petersburg, urged the FWC to help the estimated 9,000 commercial fisherman and 1.7-million recreational anglers find common ground.

"We are all working for the same thing," he said. "We are in this together."

Bobby Aylesworth, an avid recreational angler who serves as the president of an influential commercial fishing organization, added, "We can sit here all day and talk about the recreational vs. commercial, but when it comes right down to it, what matters is the sustainability of the resources."

Terry Tomalin can be reached at tomalin@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8808.

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[Last modified January 18, 2007, 22:46:38]