Tag: charter-for-hire
The Gulf charter-for-hire fleet is making yet another leap towards greater accountability as nearly 200 charter-for-hire boats become equipped with electronic data collection systems that will allow for accurate and real time data on red snapper and other critically important recreational species.
If you’re a Florida fisherman, or for that matter Gulf of Mexico fishermen, then you know that for year after year, there has been a need for more data, better data and more timely data. In short, a better data collection system to better manage the Gulf’s vast array of fisheries.
Quartro Wieboldt’s “six pack” has sat high and dry for more than five years waiting for an opportunity to return to Gulf waters, its federal fishing permit still active and proudly attached to the side.
The implementation of electronic data capture by Gulf of Mexico charter-for-hire fisherman later this year will mean fisheries like Gulf Red Snapper will have a more accurate data source for use in future stock assessments.
The Gulf Council recently held their first meeting of the new year in Point Clear, Alabama, a town where wealthy families from Mobile and New Orleans tried to hide from yellow fever outbreaks by escaping to the daily breeze off Mobile Bay they deemed as “good air”.
Accurate and real time data collection of Gulf fisheries based on electronic monitoring took a major step forward with the enactment of the Congressional 2015 Omnibus Appropriations Act that included $2 million for electronic data collection for the Gulf recreational charter-for-hire sector.
The Gulf Council approved Reef Fish Amendment 40, a measure differentiating the amount of fish caught by recreational anglers and charter boat companies.
Just when the Gulf waters looked like they were starting to calm, the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council has stirred them once again by announcing a series of public hearings to address Amendment 40, better known as Gulf Red Snapper recreational sector separation.
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