Comment from Terry Migaud

Gulf Coast Council; Concerning the purposed Greater Amberjack closure for rereactional harvest from June 1 through July, the LCUDC is against this purposed rule. From our diving experienced , we find the Amberjack usually schooled up in late winter and early spring and at relatived shallow deaths. We expect that they do this because they are spawning. In June and July, they tend to go deeper and less schooling especially the big ones. By closeing the season in June and July, you are closing the best weather months of the year and the peak of fishing tournments in the Gulf area. This is the time of the year that trips are more likely not be cancalled due to bad weather. This is the time of the year that offshore charter boats that target fishes on the platforms make most of their money. Your statement that this will allow recreational more opportunity to fish does not hold water. No fisherman is going to spent $4 to $5 a gallon for gas to target one Amberjack. Ambejack is using not a target on the platform as a primary fish but Red Snappers are. They are usually caught incidental to fishing for Snappers. To not allow for Amberjacks not to be catch at the same time makes no econmical or enviromental sense. How many Amberjacks will be catch during this time period and embolus during this period and be lose. Your closure is the wrost time of the year, the peak of fishing offshore. Its like having gangrene in your little finger so lets cut off the arm. There just no logic behind it. Please close it when they are spawning. Thanks for allowing my comments and requesting that they be make part of the record on this matter. Terry Migaud Sec/tre LA Council of Underwater Dive Clubs