Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Fishing within the Government

Given the opportunity, it's safe to say that most people would opt out of a week of government meetings filled with indecision and postponement of meaningful action.  However... In an attempt to shape and brighten the future of the charterboat industry, I have chosen to involve myself with the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council process.  
A brief recap of the week includes reallocation, rescinding a rule preventing charterboats from fishing in state waters when the federal season is closed, and the council also chose to develop an electronic reporting system for the charterboats.  Although the council has decided to move forward on a few issues, none of them are expected to translate into many additional fishing days for Red Snapper season over the next few years.  

Looking ahead to the next meeting in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It would be refreshing to see the council take steps towards developing solutions rather than just one attempt after another to extend the continually shrinking seasons by extending it in one way or another by a few days here and there.