Comment from Edward Duller, Commercial Fisherman

Please read this letter l sent to Gulf Council, FWC, NMFS, and others. This letter explains my situation and also my finale comment on the longliners effect. I am a Grouper bandit fisherman from Tarpon Springs, Fl. I bought my boat from my father in 1999. He fished commercially for 24 years before that. Since owning this boat i have been able to fish this boat ever year accept for 2005 when the season was cut short for a closure. When you voted a 6000 lb trip limit we were saved from having more unexpected closures, since you have set that trip limit we have not reached 70 % of our total quotas. Another vote that has made a large impact on shallow water fishing was the elimination of the Trap boats. Since that decision in February 2007 our yearly catch has increased by 10 to 13 thousand pounds more a year. I have been grateful for the extra catch, But now i have a decision to make. Now that there is a good chance that the grouper IFQ will pass ( or like S.O.F.A says, since the Gulf Council voted in favor It is pretty much considered a slam dunk) i will not have enough catch history to work the full year. Our control date for the IFQ is November 2004 , you voted the trappers out 2007 and now with the longliners being moved out to 300' in June 1, 2009, Not only do i need to find more catch history for the extra trapper catch i will probably have to buy more because of the longline change. What i am saying, All this will cost money maybe more money than i can afford to invest in a business that makes an average income. I have been labeled substantial fisherman in this business, But i will be forced to fish 6-7 months of the year ( maybe shorter with the longline change) with the history that i have. I do not approve with the Gulf Grouper IFQ, Because it is not fair and equitable to all. Just remember this boat has been fishing for 33 Years and if the IFQ is passed by the Commerce Department this boat and family business will have to close its door in a short time. The longline fishing industry has badly needed more regulation , If you look back you will see the may changes that were recommended but never passed because of one reason or another. Remember you are making decicsions for better conservation of our resources so ever fisherman can make a living or enjoy a recreational day of fishing. The longline industry has never cared about the consequences, they are continually in preservation mode to protect their larger profits with no concern for the future of the fish or turtles. Thanks for your time Edward Duller