One More Note On The Gag Grouper Issue
As we know, fishermen aren't happy about the proposed gag grouper fishing restrictions. We just thought we'd add a few more quotes from an article we found today:
Madeira Beach, Florida - The commercial fishing boat Martiza is just back after 10 days in the Gulf. The crew caught 5,000 pounds of fish, mostly brown grouper.Again, can't we just learn to live with a little less grouper on the table, at least for a few years? We're no experts on the issue, but if there are limits on supply, wouldn't that drive prices up (so fishermen can stay in business) and people just adjust to eating less grouper because of the increased cost?"That will go to the restaurants, the local restaurants," said Dean Pruitt who owns the Martiza.
Pruitt also owns three other commercial fishing boats. He's against federal regulators proposals to reduce gag grouper fishing in the Gulf by 45 percent, which would shut down the grouper fleet the last three months of the year.
"It's going to be a big impact on the restaurants, the people that work in the restaurants, the commercial fishery, the fish house, just anybody that want to eat the grouper," said Pruitt.
Fishermen speak out against proposed gag grouper restrictions [Tampa Bay 10]
And The Grouper Saga Continues [MP: South Florida]
