December 03, 2011

Press Release

In regard to the recent hearings in DC, the Gulf Fishermen's Association has put out the following Press Release.

Glen Brooks
President
Gulf Fishermen's Assoc.

September 8, 2011

Before and After Catch Shares

Click this link to view a letter from the Gulf Fisherman Association's Board of Directors describing the state of Florida Fisheries before and after the implementation of the catch share system.

Glen Brooks
President
Gulf Fishermen's Assoc.

November 6, 2010

Eastern Gulf Bycatch Reduction Incentive Program

In order to reduce the discarding of red snapper bycatch in the Gulf of Mexico, a temporary subsidy has been proposed for grouper fishermen operating east of Cape San Blas, Florida. The subsidy of $1 per pound of red snapper allocation will be available approximately January through June 2011 to encourage the landing of red snapper and reduce the number of discarded fish. The subsidy will be administered through Gulf of Mexico Quota Inc, and the fairness monitered by two unbiassed parties. For further details, and to apply, follow this link.

Glen Brooks
President
Gulf Fishermen's Assoc.

June 6, 2010

Over all value of catch shares as seen by Gulf Fisherman

This letter from GFA Board Members briefly describes the benefits the catch share system has had on Gulf of Mexico fisheries. It discuses not only the benefits recieved by the fishing community, but by the environment as well, and delves into the overall effectiveness of this system.
Click here to read the letter.

Glen Brooks
President
Gulf Fishermen's Assoc.

August 18, 2009

UDATE ON THE ORANGE BEACH, AL. GULF COUNCIL MEETING

This news release is in cooperation with SOFA and GFA.

The Gulf fishermen's Association and Southern Offshore Fishermen's Association was faced with some very challenging and difficult decisions at this meeting.
The suite of options presented at the meeting by scientist and regulators to reopen the fishery without putting loggerheads in jeopardy all left a lot of vessels in jeopardy!
Click here to read more

Glen Brooks
President
Gulf Fishermen’s Assoc.

Mercury Myths Dispelled

For years we have been warned about the presence of mercury in some of the seafood that we consume. The press releases can seem frightening and be hard to comprehend. The two links provided here give clear and easy to understand facts and dispel many of the myths on this subject. Please read on and see that, yes, you CAN have your fish and eat it too:
http://mercuryfacts.org/fMeltdown.cfm
http://mercuryfacts.org/fearmongers.cfm

Glen Brooks
President
Gulf Fishermen’s Assoc.

Chinese Food Scandal: COA suspects 180,000kg of fish food was tainted

Click here to read more about the COA deputy minister has said the fish farms that were suspected of using melamine-tainted fish feed are scattered over the southern counties.

Glen Brooks
President
Gulf Fishermen’s Assoc.

A Letter From A Concerned Citizen

Click here to download the letter from Judy Stone, a recreational fisher and seafood consumer, regarding Reef Fish Amendment 30B and the possible repercussions if the quota is not divided amongst the fishermen.

Glen Brooks
President
Gulf Fishermen’s Assoc.

President's Message Videos

Glen Brooks, President of the Gulf Fishermen's Association, explains more about what the Gulf Fishermen's Association is about, who they are involved with, and who they partner with to ensure a sustainable fishery for commercial fishermen between Texas and Florida. Watch the videos.

Open Ocean Farming

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and the National Marine Fisheries Service are federal bodies that make decisions about fishing in U.S. waters. Right now they are finishing a plan to allow the growing of fish in huge floating cages out in our Gulf waters. This is called “ocean fish farming," “open ocean aquaculture,” or “offshore aquaculture.” Whatever the name, it could cause serious problems. Fortunately, we have a chance to stop a bad plan. Public hearings will be held in Key West on July 21 at 5:30 at the Radisson Hotel (3820 Roosevelt Blvd) and in Key Largo on August 13 or 14 (exact date to be announced) at the Hilton Key Largo (9700 S. Overseas Highway). Visit www.foodandwaterwatch.org/fish/floridakeys or call Christina at (202) 682- 2495 for more information.

Glen Brooks
President
Gulf Fishermen's Assoc.

Ignorance, misinformation, or outright propaganda?

Click here to download the letter from GFA member Ed Small addressed Georgia Aquarium regarding the ignorance, misinformation, or outright propaganda about Grouper and Red Snapper.

Glen Brooks
President
Gulf Fishermen’s Assoc.

CCA Letter Misleading on Grouper Fishery

The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), a recreational organization, recently provided information on the commercial grouper fishery that was misleading. I have clarified their comments with real data and addressed their comments on the grouper IFQ program and commercial grouper regulations. Cick here to download the letter with my comments.

Glen Brooks
President
Gulf Fishermen’s Assoc.

Open access or individual transferable quota’s

Science has determined that gag grouper is being over fished; NMFS will be putting hard tacs on gags and cutting the quota up to 45%.

What this means to you is a possible seven month closure in 2009, A hard tac on gags will work much the same way it does on red grouper, when we reach the quota on gag grouper it will trigger a closure for the shallow water grouper.

A meeting with Roy Crabtree at NMFS Nov. 8 2007 to discuss these matters and talk of possible solutions revealed our worse fears, with hard tacs looming over our heads in 2009 on gags and if we catch gags at the same rate we caught them in 2006,we will reach the quota by the end of May, which will trigger a closure for shallow water grouper. As most fishermen know deepwater grouper has been shutting down in June.

ITQ’s are the only sensible way to go to ensure a year round fishery. Here is how they would work, whether you are allocated gag and red grouper shares or if you have to lease them from somebody as long as you don’t use all of one or the other up you will be able to harvest your fish without fear of somebody else beating you to your share of the quota.

We have to find ways to have an ITQ in place by 2009. We are working hard to try and achieve it by 2009 and need your help.

A few fishermen targeting gags could fill the quota and trigger a closure for the whole Gulf of Mexico, that can’t happen with an ITQ.

With an ITQ you are in control of your own quota!!

If you have any questions on ITQ’s or any other fishery matters feel free to email or call.

Glen Brooks
President
Gulf Fishermen’s Assoc.

Tighter Security on the Waterways

The Department of Homeland Security  recently placed more responsibility on the US Coast Guard to secure all waterways and ports against terrorist activity. 
The USCG has informed the boating industry of several issues that are of concern so that interested parties can participate in open hearings this spring and summer. 
Issues include:

• Universal licensing
• Requiring transponders on boats
• Restricting pleasure crafts to certain channels of navigation
• Designated restricted areas near ships

The Gulf Fisherman's Association urges you to take part in these discussions and to make your concerns heard.  Get involved in the hearings this spring and smmer in order to protect your industry, your security, and your interests.