| March 24, 2008
PROPOSED GRAYS REEF RESEARCH AREA
CCA GEORGIA POSITION STATEMENT
CCA Georgia has supported all measures of the new Gray’s
Reef management plan which have been implemented and its
members hope to support a Research Area concept that includes
provisions consistent with sound research and respect for
the public’s enjoyment of its sanctuary.
While some anglers are opposed to closing any area to fishing,
CCA Georgia members accept that research is one component
of the National Marine Sanctuary mission and that valuable
lessons may be learned by closing a portion of GRNMS to
some activities for some time.
CCA Georgia recommends and would support a
designated Research Area that:
1. was closed only
to bottom fishing or fishing for demersal species.
2. allowed trolling for pelagic species
with dead and artificial baits.
3. allowed navigation in and through
the area.
4. was sited to minimize impact on
recreational fishing yet still allow credible research.
Option 6 as described in the scoping meetings in March
2008 is the site CCA members would consider the most
desirable.
5. is implemented after a clear research
plan and goals have been communicated to the interested
public.
6. includes a commitment to provide
annually to the interested public a report on the
research achievements versus the goals.
7. includes a commitment to review
annually and report to the interested public on whether
the size of the designated research area is absolutely
necessary to further the research goals and options
to minimize the size of the closed area once goals
are met or if it is determined the designated research
area is no longer needed.
8. includes a commitment to critically
review the research plan and goals at least every
five years and to report to the interested public
the results of the review including any changes in
the research plan and goals.
9. establishes the bottom fishing
ban in the research area for a maximum period of ten
years and that subsequent extensions of the fishing
ban would occur after a public process similar to
that employed in the initial evaluation and creation
of the research area. |
CCA Georgia members have long advocated for more and better
enforcement of fishing regulations and believe the enforcement
agencies are not sufficiently funded and are understaffed.
This causes difficulty in enforcing existing regulations
as vigorously as would be in the interest of the citizens
and their natural resources. We write this with the greatest
respect for the law enforcement agencies and persons as
we admire the work they do with the resources at their disposal.
CCA members believe that education of anglers in a manner
to gain their voluntary cooperation will be a critical component
of achieving research success in the “no bottom fishing”
area. Consistent with that belief, CCA will provide whatever
assistance it can (newsletters, website, meetings, etc.)
in communicating with its members and other anglers the
rationale and benefits of their support for a thoughtful
research program in Grays Reef National Marine Sanctuary
that does not unnecessarily restrict public enjoyment of
the sanctuary.
|
