Comment from Samuel Young

I have some misgivings about this proposed rule based on my experience as a part-time charter captain and regular recreational fisherman. 1. I feel the rule in effect on the Gag Grouper closure is flawed, using poor data, and should not have been closed. 2. I feel that this proposed rule is too generous to both the recreational and commercial fisherman, and will only lead to depleting the resource. I would support a 3 fish per person for Red Grouper limit, and oppose the proposed 4 fish per person bag limit. I would also pare down the increase to comercial quotas. Seems that this change was in response to compensate for the Gag Grouper closeure, and as already mentioned, my time on the water (empirical data) suggests that Gags are not overfished. 3. The south Gulf Coast is now in a state of a Goliath Grouper infestation, and steps should be taken to approve a harvest of Goliath Grouper. Most reef species; snapper and groupers are more often than not, consumed by Goliath Grouper when hooked, and then again when shorts are released to grow up up. Don't believe me? Come with me fishing and I'll let you experience the the unlikely chance you'll get a fish up from the bottom before a Goliath inhales it. Thank you.