Comment from Tyler Richmond

Gentlemen and ladies, I have just become aware of amendment 8 being propsed. Last month, Feb 2013, I purchased a swordfish handgear permit. I made a career change to do what i love for a living. I invested my entire savings into the startup of this career. This handgear permit cost me $27,000 and an additional $4,000 in gear. This is not including the cost of a vessel. I have put everything I own into making this my career. I rely on commercial fishing to pay my bills. I can not imagine that I spent $27,000 on a permit that will now be worthless, and further more handgear permits will be issued at a far lower price. How can this be justified? I spent my savings. $27,000 on a permit that will now be purchasable for less then $100. The amendment states that a max of 6 fish can be retained. That is more fish than I catch in a day! I fish all day for my living and catch 2 or 3 fish on a great day. I can not imagine that someone, who has not invested their life, be able to havest and sell the same amount fish that I do. This amendment will make commercially harvesting swordfish accesable to every boat on the east coast of florida. The price of swordfish will drop locally and the men who have invested in the fishery will not be able to pay their bills. This is a lively hood for people, not a way to make an extra buck. Please leave the commercial fishing for the people that rely on it. Not people that want a couple extra dollars. I spent $27,000 to be able to harvest 2 or 3 fish a day. Dont give everyone the ability to do it at almost no cost. Thank you for your time, Tyler