Comment from Michael Locklear, Capt. Mike Locklear

To Whom It May Concern: As a recreational angler with interest in federal waters and as a Florida charter boat operator in state waters of the west coast for Gag Grouper the Interim rule from reducing gag bag limits from 5 to 2 fish is not neccessary to replenish stocks. It will add to dramtically the economic hardship for both the recreational sector and the charter boat industry. We are in hard times and business is bad enough without additional regulations. Tightening the bag limit by 60% is absurd. The rule will help put everyone out of business including hotels, restaurants, tackle shops and manufactures of outboard motors, boats, tackle, etc. In these hard times, the fish are having less pressure because there is less fishing pressure. What would hurt us the most is to extend the closed season and reduce the limit to allow only 2 gags per person. The rule as proposed looks as though we will be working with either 2 gags in state waters [as we do not catch nary keeper red grouper in state waters] or 2 gags and 2 reds in federal waters. This doesn’t make much sense to be working with a 4-fish bag limit when the aggregate is 5 fish. While a 3-gag limit is a compromise to a 2-gag limit it is hard to swallow. What happened to a 4-gag proposal? The system is going to bankrupt many businesses with a 2-gag rule. I have fished for gags for over 30 years and have seen the size limits increase from 12-inches with no bag limit to today's 22-inch size limit on the west coast of Florida. Gag stocks are not in big trouble and are on the rebound. The current regulations that exist today should remain unchanged. Because the authorities are short of manpower they can not enforce the rules we have. The new rule will hurt the honest fishermen and workers of the entire fishing industry. People will quit going offshore if only allowed two or three grouper. In theory, the rule will make an honest man, dishonest. There is a good argument that the rule making process is a well oiled machine represented by mostly commercial interest and is sore at recreational interest. Whether this is myth or fact the system needs investigating. These are tough times. I beg you to restructure how you obtain your information regarding gulf stocks of gag and red grouper. From what I know, there needs to be a shake-up of the science provided. There are plenty of grouper and the existing rules work because most fishermen are honest. Please help us help ourselves. Keep the existing rules in effect and know that you have done your job well. Sincerely, Michael E. Locklear