Comment from Tom Robertson

I just read to powerpoint on the proposed amendment. A GC permit would not be beneficial to swordfish stocks. The Florida coast is known as fragile area. It is already closed to PLL. A GC permit will destroy this area. In the power point it states an estimated 10 swordfish harvested per boat per year. I can promise you that every boat in Florida would havest that every month. There are hundreds of boats that would fish each week. Every boat would catch fish each week. Your estimate of 10 fish per year is more likely 100 fish per year. That would destroy and Florida swordfish stocks. And destroy the current permit holders. If a GC permit is made keep the Swordfish special management area in place and effective for GC permit holders. Leave the current permit holders in place and dont allow any more enty of a GC into the management area. The fishery on the east coast of Floida is too close. Too many boats will be fishing. If more swordfish are needed issue more limited access permits. Issue LAPs at the current going rate. Issue more limited access permits at a cost of $25,000. This will get more true commercial fisherman catching swordfish. NOAA makes money selling permits for $25,000 and the commerical fisherman are not ruined by overfishing and competition. Do not open it up for everyone. This is bad for the fish and the fishermen