| 15 November 2011
The proposed changes in spotted seatrout regulations for commercial fishing have been discussed now for several weeks by officers and directors of the Florida Guides Association (FGA). It is the general consensus of FGA that changing the commercial regulations as proposed is not in the best interest of recreational fishing in Florida.
Additionally, the FGA believes that spotted seatrout should be given game fish status with no commercial harvest. Florida Guides Association is dedicated to a mission statement that says, “Dedicated to the promotion and wise use of Florida's fishery resource.”
Spotted sea trout are the single most popular recreational marine fish resource in Florida. They represent the economic base of hundreds of fish camps and marinas and support an enormous visiting tourist angler trade. Thousands of independent fishing guides rely on a vibrant trout fishery including the real expectation of catching trophy sized fish above 20" in length.
We believe it is the Wisest Use of spotted sea trout to become a game fish and for it to become the reliable fishery foundation to restore our vital coastal small businesses that rely on recreational anglers for their existence.
The FGA position on four specific proposals are listed below:
Change and lengthen the commercial open season. FGA membership does not support a longer season. FGA has concerns about user conflict and commercial impact in the winter months included in the lengthened season. This concern is based on FWC studies indicating November, December and January are a time when recreational effort is at it's highest. It is also at a time when trout become very predictable in their habits and become vulnerable to easy harvest during the coldest periods.Allow year-round sale. FGA does not support year-round sales.Sales should be closely related to the season in which they are caught, maybe running a week or two after the season. FGA joins others who believe the practice would promote poaching.
Allow a vessel limit of 150 trout with two licensed anglers. FGA does not support this item. The current rule of 75 per vessel should not be changed. FGA believes that this change would promote and achieve an increase in effort and harvest that would not be in the best interest of the recreational fishing community. Taking large quantities of trophy sized trout for commercial harvest makes no sense when the biological, social and economic benefits of the larger fish are accounted for.
Allow 75 trout as bycatch allowance when fishing with seines. FGA opposes this item. Adding seine nets to the scenario adds an additional and impossible task of regulation at a time when there are not enough officers in the field to police current regulations. Casts nets should be used only for catching bait for use in hook and line fishing and not for taking trout. Spotted seatrout should be a hook and line fishery with no netting allowed.
