Outdoors

Committee backs snook stamp increase

Conservationists scored a limited victory this week

By TERRY TOMALIN
Published March 9, 2007

Conservationists scored a limited victory this week when the House Natural Resources Committee voted to support a move to increase the price of a snook stamp from $2 to $10.

"There are still major problems with this bill," said Ted Forsgren, director of the Florida chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association. "The biggest one being that they have taken away the safeguards that assure that saltwater license money will go to marine law enforcement, management and research."

Seventeen years ago, the CCA fought for the creation of a saltwater fishing license. Last year, anglers generated about $15-million to support and preserve the state's fisheries.

Roughly $440,000 of that money comes from snook stamps. The funds go directly to snook enhancement and research. But Rick Roberts, director of the Sarasota-based Snook Foundation, said he believes more funds are needed to guarantee the future of Florida's No. 1 sportfish.

"There is a direct correlation between habitat and the health of the snook fishery," Roberts said. "The Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute needs adequate funding to quantify that relationship so that impact on habitat will be taken into future decisions."

Roberts hopes that, in the future, county, state and federal officials armed with a "habitat database" will consider the effect on snook and other fisheries habitat before they issue new developmental permits.

If approved, the snook stamp will raise an additional $2-million for snook research.

"Anglers should contact their local representatives and senators and urge them to support this legislation," Roberts said.

For information, go to www.snookfoundation.org.

Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors Editor

. FWC ENFORCEMENT

Commercial boat focus

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's new offshore enforcement unit has stepped up inspections of commercial fishing boats.

According to FWC records:

-On Feb. 14, FWC Officer Ed Chambers boarded a vessel called The Right Stuff docked at Madeira Beach Seafood and seized 10 undersized red grouper. The captain, 36-year-old Scott Daggett of 3620 74th St. N, St. Petersburg, was charged with possession of undersized grouper.

-That same day, Chambers and FWC Officer Baryl Martin inspected another fishing boat docked at Madeira Beach Seafood called the Sarah Louise and discovered 10 undersized grouper. The captain, 46-year-old Byron Hollis Holland of Madeira Beach, was charged with possession of undersized grouper.

-On Feb. 15, Chambers inspected a fishing boat called Provider docked at Triangle Fisheries in Madeira Beach and discovered 11 undersized grouper. The captain, 41-year-old Jeffrey Stark of Madeira Beach, was charged with possession of undersized grouper.

-On Feb. 20, Chambers, Martin and FWC Officer Jason Curtis received a tip that the captain of the fishing vessel Miss BLT had an active warrant out for his arrest. David W. Wolf, 48, was being sought by authorities for failing to pay a fine after he was caught with American red snapper during the closed season on another vessel on Nov. 22, 2006. The officers arrested Wolf at Madeira Beach Seafood and transported him to the Pinellas County Jail.

[Last modified March 9, 2007, 01:03:44]