On September 27, 2012, a coalition of national boating and fishing organizations sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Kenneth Salazar and Florida Governor Rick Scott. The letter expressed the coalition’s appreciation for recent positive steps in the development of a General Management Plan for the Park, but reiterated concerns about the potential to unnecessarily close large areas of the Park to the public. The coalition, including CSF, is optimistic that a positive outcome is possible based on recent and ongoing discussions between the National Park Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in an effort to resolve differences and develop joint solutions for the park’s management plan.
In August 2011 Biscayne National Park officials released a draft management plan that proposed to close up to 20 percent of the park’s waters to fishing. The park’s preferred alternative included a 10,000 acre marine reserve, or no-fishing zone, despite recommendations from stakeholders and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that a marine reserve is an overly restrictive management option. The coalition fully supports the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s longstanding position that less-restrictive management measures should be implemented in the park.
This summer, the National Park Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission agreed to reengage in the General Management Plan development process. The coalition is hopeful that discussions between the National Park Service and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will result in a management plan that balances resource conservation with public access and includes adequate areas for fishing. However, the coalition is concerned that a marine reserve zone remains in consideration as a possible management activity which would create excessive and unnecessary fishing and water access restrictions.
On September 27, 2012, a coalition of national boating and fishing organizations sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Kenneth Salazar and Florida Governor Rick Scott of the Governor’s Sportsmen’s Caucus expressing the coalition’s appreciation for recent positive steps in the development of a General Management Plan for the Park, but reiterated concerns about the potential to unnecessarily close large areas of the Park to the public.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
