Post by stephanie on Oct 4, 2011 10:04:41 GMT -5
This was emailed to me from Keep America Fishing:
Help Keep Biscayne Bay Open to Recreational Fishing and Boating
The park's new management plan threatens to close over 20 percent of the park to recreational fishing
The Situation
Located adjacent to Miami, Biscayne (Bay) National Park (BNP) is the largest marine park in the National Park system and one of the country's largest urban recreational fishing areas. The park supports approximately 10 million angler trips per year. BNP's management team is currently updating the park's General Management Plan (GMP), which will have a profound impact on recreational fishing and other popular visitor activities. The recently released draft GMP presents five alternative management plans, which range from extending the current management plan to closing over 20 percent of the park's public waters to recreational fishing.
The current preferred alternative that is endorsed by park managers will establish a 10,522 acre marine reserve, or no fishing zone, and several "no combustion engine zones" which act as de facto no-fishing zones because their large size makes most of the waters inaccessible.
By attempting to implement marine reserves, BNP officials are disregarding an agreement with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, which states that marine reserves are overly restrictive as management tools, as well as the recommendations of the BNP Fisheries Management Plan working group. The working group was comprised of recreational anglers, commercial fishermen, divers, scientists and environmental groups who based their recommendations on sound fisheries management practices – these recommendations did not include marine reserves.
Take Action Now!
The draft GMP (PDF, 10MB) calls for drastic changes affecting everyone who fishes, boats, paddles, dives or spearfishes in BNP. Park managers are accepting public comment on the draft plan through October 31, 2011. KeepAmericaFishing™ encourages all anglers concerned about recreational access to voice their opposition to the unwarranted and excessive restrictions on recreational fishing and boating in the Biscayne National Park draft GMP.
To officially submit comments to the National Park Service, visit parkplanning.nps.gov/commentForm.cfm?documentID=42715.
Help Keep Biscayne Bay Open to Recreational Fishing and Boating
The park's new management plan threatens to close over 20 percent of the park to recreational fishing
The Situation
Located adjacent to Miami, Biscayne (Bay) National Park (BNP) is the largest marine park in the National Park system and one of the country's largest urban recreational fishing areas. The park supports approximately 10 million angler trips per year. BNP's management team is currently updating the park's General Management Plan (GMP), which will have a profound impact on recreational fishing and other popular visitor activities. The recently released draft GMP presents five alternative management plans, which range from extending the current management plan to closing over 20 percent of the park's public waters to recreational fishing.
The current preferred alternative that is endorsed by park managers will establish a 10,522 acre marine reserve, or no fishing zone, and several "no combustion engine zones" which act as de facto no-fishing zones because their large size makes most of the waters inaccessible.
By attempting to implement marine reserves, BNP officials are disregarding an agreement with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, which states that marine reserves are overly restrictive as management tools, as well as the recommendations of the BNP Fisheries Management Plan working group. The working group was comprised of recreational anglers, commercial fishermen, divers, scientists and environmental groups who based their recommendations on sound fisheries management practices – these recommendations did not include marine reserves.
Take Action Now!
The draft GMP (PDF, 10MB) calls for drastic changes affecting everyone who fishes, boats, paddles, dives or spearfishes in BNP. Park managers are accepting public comment on the draft plan through October 31, 2011. KeepAmericaFishing™ encourages all anglers concerned about recreational access to voice their opposition to the unwarranted and excessive restrictions on recreational fishing and boating in the Biscayne National Park draft GMP.
To officially submit comments to the National Park Service, visit parkplanning.nps.gov/commentForm.cfm?documentID=42715.