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  FAIRNESS in FISHERIES MANAGEMENT

 

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UNITED WE FISH, DIVIDED WE PLAY GOLF   C

Gag Grouper

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Gulf of Mexico

Gag and Red Grouper

 

South Atlantic

Gag Grouper and Snapper

 

 

 

Read about the pending regulations for your region.

 

 

Check out the various pages of the website.  There is much information to be found.

We hope you will join the FRA at the very least as an electronic member, which is free.

Simply sign up for F'ISSUES, the FRA electronic newsletter, at right.

 

Below is some information about the Goliath Grouper.

 

"Thanks for coming to the website"- Denny O'Hern, Executive Director

 

 

 

 

 

THE TRUTH ABOUT

GOLIATH GROUPER 

     Very little is known about adult Goliath Grouper.  The truth is that our knowledge of Goliath Grouper comes from very limited data, leaving scientists and managers with no solid information on which to base assessments and decisions. To find the truth about the Goliath Grouper, scientists need size, weight and life history information (reproduction, age, growth, etc.) for a reliable assessment of the stock.  The ONLY way to get this information is to take biological samples.  This very issue was presented and discussed at a meeting of scientists, researchers and some anti-fishing activists held recently in St. Petersburg, FL1.  In the room were some very knowledgeable scientists and by the end of the day, no one was able to provide any valid alternatives for answering the Goliath Grouper life history questions without taking biological samples.  The Gulf Council and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have agreed and authorized the taking of a limited number of fish for biological sampling. 

 "… no one was able to provide any valid alternatives for answering the Goliath Grouper life history questions without taking biological samples."

     Jewfish (as the re-named Goliath Grouper was known by in 1990 when the fishery was declared overfished), was a species exploited by a few for pennies per pound.  The designation of ‘overfished’ was driven by an unreliable, incomplete analysis which depended heavily on one person’s memories of their commercial exploitation of only FOUR sites in the Gulf.    Many scientists now agree that the fish population is strongly recovering and in some areas has possibly gone above historic levels.  This is only based on anecdotal evidence and is a perfect example of why scientists need more biological information.

     FRA members are good stewards of our fisheries.  We believe that good management is based on good data and sound science.  FRA members expect our managers and their scientists to provide us with the truth and we stand ready to help them find it. We expect and demand fairness in fisheries management.

 1.  Goliath Grouper Research Planning Meeting, August 6, 2007, FWRI-FWC, St. Petersburg, FL

 

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What is The FRA Shark Tank?

SPECIAL THANKS to the FRA Sharks!

Colin, Scott, Frank, Craig, Luke and the other Sharks in the Shark Tank are the reason that we have the opportunity to seek justice.

 

 

 

 

13lb & 20lb Dolfin.JPG (645674 bytes)  Our Mission

 

The Fishing Rights Alliance, FRA, advocates the sustainable use of and access to marine fisheries.  The FRA promotes reasonable and effective fisheries management policies primarily through community and political activism and user group interaction with the scientific community and the various regulatory agencies.  

The FRA also endeavors to inform and educate the membership and general public about issues concerning access to marine resources.  The FRA will actively defend the right to access.

The FRA acts to assure that fishery regulation is based on sound scientific methods using valid data and an accurate picture of the fishery.

The FRA will stand up and fight to protect your fishing rights.      Click here to JOIN THE FRA!  

 

Thank you

 

February GULF COUNCIL MEETING REPORT

 

F’ISSUES

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HOT LINKS

Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Management Council   www.gulfcouncil.org

 

South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council  www.safmc.net

 

National Marine Fisheries Service  www.nmfs.noaa.gov

 

Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission  www.myfwc.com

 

FISHING RIGHTS ALLIANCE  www.joinFRA.org

 

Contact your Senators, Congressmen and President.

ORDER THE FRA ANGELS 2008 WALL CALENDAR NOW (click here)

This is how the FRA protects your fishing rights. 

  

  John 44lb Cobia.jpg (652453 bytes)

  • Attend fisheries management meetings

  • Maintain a full time watch on fishing regulations

  • Support active research in marine fisheries

  •  Keep members informed and active

  • Defend your right to fish where you want (Resource Access).

  • Alert members to write/call/attend when needed

  • Maintain contact with fisheries management agencies

  • Question bad science

  • Defend your rights using good science

  • Protect the resource so you can still catch fish (Sustainable harvest).

  • When reason, logic and facts are not enough…..Legal action may be required.  And our sharks don't lose.

 

 


Contact Information

For more information regarding the FRA, email us or just watch the website for new information.

Postal address:

Fishing Rights Alliance

4604 49th Street North, #34

St. Petersburg, FL  33709

 
Electronic mail
Info@thefra.org
 
Webmaster: webmaster@thefra.org