Keep Florida Fishing, an advocacy arm of the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), has launched an online petition at www.KeepFloridaFishing.org for those who want to stop fishing closures proposed by Our Florida Reefs.
Keep Florida Fishing Manager Gary Jennings weighs in on why ASA opposes fishing closures proposed by Our Florida Reefs, specifically the threat to close up to 30 percent of the reef to fishing. Our Florida Reefs has sought little input from anglers or the sportfishing industry, accepting no public testimony at local meetings. The petition is the easiest way for Florida anglers to have a voice in the process.
The petition specifically opposes the following recommendations:
- Implementing a Marine Protected Area zoning framework.
- Nominating the entire region as a National Marine Sanctuary.
- Applying for United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) world heritage site status for entire Florida Reef Tract.
- Establishing Coral Reef Gardens.
Petition signers do not have much time. The period for submitting public comment to Our Florida Reefs ends Tuesday, March 1. Go to www.KeepFloridaFishing.org to sign the petition today.
