| 02 June 2010
...but fishermen are.
I have had a significant decline in bookings for the month as compared to the same month last year.
Florida fishing guides are reporting fishing better than last year but charter bookings are down.
One charter captain on Florida’s west coast said, “I’m running the same boats at the same location with the same marketing program as last year and with weather and fishing that was actually better this year than in May of 2009. I have had a significant decline in bookings for the month as compared to the same month last year.”
Some relief may be in sight.
“The fisheries off Florida are not in failure, they are safe and plentiful.
Florida would like to get the word out that there are fish to be caught, hotels for sleeping and restaurants for eating. All are open for business, but needing customers.
Capt. Bob Zales, President of the National Association of Charterboat Operators says, “The fisheries off Florida are not in failure, they are safe and plentiful. The fishermen in Florida are suffering and hopefully financial assistance will be forthcoming for them ASAP. There is a fishermen’s disaster, which is a fishery disaster, but there is no fish species resource disaster.”
The relief Zales speaks of may come partly from the federal government.
Governor Charlie Crist has sent a letter to United States Department of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke requesting a determination of a commercial fishery failure under provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
- View / Download [ Christ's Letter ]
