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Press Release: Gulf of Mexico
Fishery Management Council
http://www.gulfcouncil.org
COUNCIL CONSIDERS IMPLEMENTATION OF A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON THE
ISSUANCE OF CHARTER VESSEL/HEADBOAT PERMITS
Tampa, Florida - November 8, 1999 - In the Gulf region there are presently about 1,286 charter vessels and 91 headboats. This represents
an estimated 32 percent increase in the number of charter vessels and a
6 percent decrease in the number headboats between 1988 and 1998.
Additionally, the number of charter vessel trips has increased 187
percent between 1988 and 1997.
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) is considering
implementation of a temporary moratorium on the issuance of charter
vessel/headboat permits to fish the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) for
reef fish and coastal migratory pelagics (mackerel) fish. A moratorium,
if adopted, would provide a basis for the development of a more
comprehensive effort limitation program for this segment of the
recreational fishery that could provide better long-term control of
fishing effort.
The moratorium proposed in this amendment considers 7 features: 1) the
duration of the moratorium; 2) initial eligibility requirements for
permit; 3) permit transfers during the moratorium; 4) vessel size for
permit transfer; 5) the reissuance of permits not renewed; 6) an appeal
process; and 7) vessel reporting. At present, the Council has suggested
as preferred alternatives:
* Establish a 3-year moratorium
* That initial eligibility requirements be all persons holding
permits on September 16, 1999 are eligible;
* Permit transfers during the moratorium be allowed between 1)
vessels owned by the permit holder and 2) individuals without transfer
of the vessel;
* Reissuance of permits not renewed (or permanently revoked) will
not be reissued by NMFS during the moratorium.
The Council did not select preferred alternatives for: 1) vessel size
restriction on permit transfers; 2) the appeals process under
moratorium; or 3) vessel reporting requirements.
Public hearings for the Draft Charter Vessel/Headboat Permit Moratorium
Amendment will be held at the following locations and dates from 7:00
p.m. to 10:00 p.m., unless otherwise listed. In addition, public
testimony will be accepted at the Gulf Council meeting in Fort Walton
Beach, Florida on January 19, 2000.
Monday, December 6, 1999
Port Isabel Community Center
213 Yturria
Port Isabel, TX 78578
Monday, December 6, 1999
Harvey Government Center
1200 Truman Avenue
Key West, Florida 33040
Tuesday, December 7, 1999
Port Aransas Civic Center Auditorium
710 West Avenue A
Port Aransas, TX 78373
Tuesday, December 7, 1999
Naples Depot Civic Cultural Center
1051 Fifth Avenue South
Naples, FL 34102
Wednesday, December 8, 1999
Texas A&M Auditorium
200 Seawolf Parkway
Galveston, TX 77553
Wednesday, December 8, 1999
City Hall Auditorium
300 Municipal Drive
Madeira Beach, FL 33708
Thursday, December 9, 1999
Larose Regional Park
2001 East 5th Street
Larose, LA 70373
Monday, December 13, 1999
--6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.--
J. L. Scott Marine Education Center & Aquarium
115 East Beach Blvd., US Hwy. 90
Biloxi, MS 39530
Tuesday, December 14, 1999
Hilton Beachfront Garden Inn
23092 Perdido Beach Boulevard
Orange Beach, Alabama 36561
Wednesday, December 15, 1999
--6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.--
Gulf Coast Community College
Student Union East Building
Gibson Lecture Hall (2nd Floor)
5230 West Highway 98
Panama City, Florida 32401
Written comments will be accepted on the draft amendment if received by
January 3, 2000. A copy of the draft amendment can be obtained by
calling 813-228-2815.
These meetings are open to the public and are physically accessible to
people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or
other auxiliary aids should be directed to the Council office by
November 29, 1999.
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is 1 of 8 regional fishery
management councils that were established by the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Gulf of Mexico
Fishery Management Council prepares fishery management plans that are
designed to manage fishery resources in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.
--- Gulf Council Press Release
Visit the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council web site at http://www.gulfcouncil.org
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