Comment from Benton Dewar

I have a commercial snapper-grouper permit # SG 1601. After reviewing the proposed rules, I have the following comments. 1. Off the coast of North Carolina the red porgy have overtaken all of my fishing spots. I caught my limit in 3 hours and caught only 2 other species. They are appx. 16 inches long and the sonar lights up with them. I fished 5 diffrent spots on July 4, 2009 and caught them at every spot. The early year closure has worked. The closure needs to be lifted. This is the 8th time this has happend to me this year. The ocean is full of red Porgy. 2. I have no problem with trying to help the sea turtles. I have and will never catch one. I think this is not a problem you have to worry about. 3. I don't feel that an observer is necessary ( where will they have room to observe, will they stay out of the way, will they eat all of my food. Will they vomit all over my boat. Where will they sleep on overnighters? The electronic lotbook sounds good. I have a feeling that a video monitoting system mounted on my boat will probally last for the 2nd wave going out of the inlet. 4. I have no problem with the snowy grouper allocation or the golden tilefish. And I also think that Commnercial snapper-grouper permit holders are the only ones that should be allowed to sell snapper or grouper. These license are very expensive and everyone had a chance to buy 2 and turn them in for one permit.