Call to Action - Protect Florida Permit

Pemit on the Flats by Mike Savlen

Jonathan Ain who runs the March Merkin Permit Tournament sent us this call to action from Capt. John O'Hearn.

Concerned anglers,
 
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) is currently planning to rework the laws governing permit (Trachinotus falcatus).  Many of you might be unaware that permit are still fished commercially in the state of Florida. While the limit for mature permit (over 20") is only two per day, the is NO harvest limits for fish under 20". Equally alarming, permit are still pursued with spearfishing tackle in federal water (just offshore).  Since there are no federal laws concerning the harvest of permit, it is literally open season out there. 
 
This is a great chance to protect the future of this species forever.  The Key West and Lower Keys Fishing Guides Association supports the following law changes.  We want the FWC to list permit as a gamefish, thus ending all commercial sale of the species.  We also support mandating the permit fishery as catch and release only, with some provision (a stamp or tag system) for the harvest of one fish per day for those pursuing world records. Lastly, we want to see state regulations extended into federal waters to ensure the success of these law changes.
 
A few minutes or your time could help protect these fish. Any comment in support of these law changes will go a long way. Seriously, public comment plays a very large role in the decision making/law making process.  Please, cut&paste and email the comment below to marine@myfwc.com  or for those preferring more old fashioned methods, download/print and mail/fax the attachment to:
 
Division of Marine Fisheries Management
2590 Executive Ctr Circle E  #201
Tallahassee, FL  32301
fax:  850 487-4847

Thank you very much for your time and please forward this to anyone you feel might be concerned,
 
Capt John O'Hearn
President
Key West & Lower Keys Fishing Guides Assc
jpohearn@hotmail.com
 
Cut and paste, write your name, enter "permit law changes" in the subject box.
 
FWC Commissioners,

In light of the proposed law changes for Permit (Trachinotus falcatus), I would like to voice my opinion.  I support listing Permit as a gamefish, thus ending all commercial sale of the species.
 
I support the creation of a catch and release fishery for the species, with some provision (stamp or tag) for possessing one a day. 
 
Lastly, I support the extension of State regulations into federal water to insure complete protection of the species.  Thank you for your time.

 Sincerely,
 
 Your Name Here

Comments

[PB]

While there is much to support in these proposals, one issue that needs to be clarified is the FWC's definition of "catch and release". Several guides have opposed some of the proposals for permit and bonefish because the FWC has taken the position for other species that "catch and release" precludes even temporary possession for an out-of-water photograph or a measurement. Very few anglers would oppose regs ending commercial sales or intentionally killing these fish but I think there is a substantial difference of opinion on the limits of the proposed regs and no matter what side of the issue you take, we would all benefit from a clear articulation of the FWC's definition of "catch and release"..