Comment from David Pinkham, South West Florida Deep Sea Fishing Charters Inc.

Dear Sir, I own and operate an offshore charter fishing business out of the Crow's Nest Marina and Restaurant in Venice, Florida. My family and I have been in the charter fishing business for over 25 years. Our charter boat Legacy is well-known in the area. We are members of the Venice Chamber of Commerce and we work hard in and with the local business community to promote this area. I believe our business helps to draw people to the Venice, Florida area thus helping promote commerce and jobs. Because of the present economic crisis we are struggling to stay in business, but with this said I feel that we will survive if we are not overly restricted in the fish species we can keep for our clients this winter. In cooler winter months from January through April is when we are very busy with our charter boat. This is the busiest part of the tourist season, and at this time of the year we must make enough money to help carry us through some of the slower months. January through the end of March the Gulf's water temperature cools down. When this annual event takes place the mid-water fish such as Spanish mackerel, King mackerel, little tunny, sharks, and blue runners leave this area as they head farther south to warmer water. When all the tourists are here January through the end of March the only reliable fishing we have available is bottom fishing fro grouper and snapper. (We don't run far enough on the 4 and 6 hour trips to target Greater amberjack) By closing both red and gag grouper at this time of the year you are limiting us as an offshore charter fishing business to one fish which is mangrove (grey) snapper. Honestly, I do not believe we can survive through these months with only mangrove snapper to target. Our clients just want enough fish to make a meal or two. By allowing us to keep at least one gag or one red grouper per person in these winter months you will not be the final contribution to putting us out of business, Consider that I was fishing 12 miles offshore of Venice 3 days ago. On this trip we caught several keeper gag and red grouper. I believe by reducing the creel limit but no closure we can still maintain a viable charter fishing business. Thank you, Capt. Dave Pinkham Legacy Fishing Charters Venice, Fl 941-473-4603