Signatures 327 total
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1
Name: Dennis O'Hern on Feb 9, 2010City of residence: St. PetersburgState: FLComments: May Congress hear us and help us.Flag
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Name: Mark on Feb 9, 2010City of residence: St petersburgState: FloridaComments: testFlag
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Name: Edward Walker on Feb 10, 2010City of residence: HolidayState: FlComments: The Magnusson-Stevens act is being exploited by anti-fishing environmental groups. It was not intended to be used as a fishing elimination tool. Please help fix its flaws.Flag
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Name: Brandon Campbell on Feb 10, 2010City of residence: JacksonvilleState: FloridaComments:Flag
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Name: Cephas Newton Christian IV on Feb 10, 2010City of residence: LecantoState: FLComments:Flag
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Name: Kelley Jackson on Feb 10, 2010City of residence: TampaState: FLComments:Flag
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Name: Captain Mark Hubbard on Feb 10, 2010City of residence: St PetersburgState: FloridaComments: I own and manage a charter party boat center Hubbard's Marina with two 80 passenger Party Head boats and one 12 pack charter boat. We sub contract many local charter boats in area. This operation started two generations ago in 1928, and was incorporated in 1957, many boats later here we are getting our right to fish taken away. having to layoff staff and sell our boats becuse some feel the fish stocks are down but all wile the fihing is in great shap. Help usFlag
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Name: Leon Paul Kass on Feb 10, 2010City of residence: SeminoleState: FloridaComments: In 2007, we sold marine electronics for fishing and safety to 2 distributors, and over 70 retail marine electronics and dealerships around the Gulf of Mexico. Today, the distirutors are out of business, and there are only two (2) dealers left. In 2007, there was a four year wait for a slip at a marina near me, now they have a number of open slips. Continued pressure by long term unneeded closure of fishing will put the remaining business out of business including my job, and i own the company.Flag
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Name: Frederick A Casto Sr' on Feb 10, 2010City of residence: GulfportState: FLAComments: WE have a good fishery but all the changes all killng us we no there has to be rules but not all they want too sends us now please help us befor we lose all we have worked for . THANK YOU for your time.CAPT.FRED A CASTO SR.Flag
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Name: Jim Currin @ Eastern Tackle on Feb 10, 2010City of residence: High PointState: NCComments: At a time when we need every boost to the economy we can get, more regulations on recreational fishermen hurt tackle business and every element of coast tourism. Regards, Jim @ EasternFlag
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Name: COSMO MANTOVANI on Feb 10, 2010City of residence: LONGWOODState: FLORIDAComments: I waited 70 years to retire & go fishing. With the recent closures of American Red Snapper, & Grouper & the continued lowering limits on harvesting such as: Snook, Cobia, Dolphin, Sharks, Blue Fish, Pompano, Red Fish, Flounder and some many more over the past 20 years - guess what ? #1 I don't go fishing anymore because it just doesn't pay - especially with the cost of fuel (a double whammy) #2 I don't go on any more charters. I use to go aleast once a month #3 I sold my own boat and so did eight of my fishing buddies -and don't intend to buy another. #4 My wife & I don't buy fish either because of the cost of the imported fish supporting the economies of other countries.h #5 Do you think I'd buy anymore fishing equipment? No way! I spend at least $1,000 per year on fishing equipment & accessories. #6 My grandkids don't go fishing anymore and don't want my gear, either. TOTALLY DISGUSTED WITH THE FOOLISH LEGISLATION BY THOSE WHO ARE NOT IN THE KNOW !!! WHY DON'T YOU SPEND YOUR TIME ANDOUR TAX DOLLARS BY FIGHTING THE THE COUNTRIES THAT ABUSE THE COMMERCIAL FISHING HARVEST !!Flag
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Name: Stephen M KIlby on Feb 10, 2010City of residence: Treasure IslandState: FloridaComments:Flag
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Name: Bill Palaski on Feb 10, 2010City of residence: LandOLakesState: FLComments:Flag
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Name: Paul Cozic on Feb 10, 2010City of residence: kennerState: LaComments:Flag
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Name: Michael H. Graef on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: DestinState: Fl.Comments:Flag
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Name: Stephen Sanders on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: LithiaState: FlComments:Flag
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Name: William Matthews on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: St PetersburgState: flComments:Flag
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Name: Christopher W. Furr on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: Saint PetersburgState: FLComments: I am a 22 year marine mechanic in the state of Florida that also uses the fishery. I completely agree that we need some sort of regulation, but we need true and unbiased science to base these regulations upon. I have no problem filling my current quotas. I am losing customers daily because of the current regulations. I see these regulations effecting all aspects of my industry. Thanks for your attention to these important issues.Flag
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Name: Dixon Cruickshank on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: TampaState: FlaComments:Flag
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Name: Teresa Hattaway on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: St. PetersburgState: FloridaComments: I am a native Floridian and have been fishing and hunting the waters and lands of Florida for close to 44 years. I also own a SCUBA shop in St. Petersburg, Florida and my business is directly affected by any changes to fishing regulations, inclement weather, high gas prices and a slow economy. Since the majority of my clients are spearfishers and / or recreational anglers, one only needs to look at my sales records to show that there has been a reduced effort on the part of recreational anglers. When people go out for a day of diving, they are in the SCUBA shop filling SCUBA tanks and buying gear; no trip means no sales. In regards to fisheries closures, how can correct decisions be made from incorrect and flawed data? A phone survey to determine the health of the fishery? The data collected from these surveys can be twisted and construed to the needed outcome. “Did you catch any fish today?” No - was the given answer because a) there are no fish b) the angler was on the wrong habitat or c) the angler used the incorrect bait. “Did you catch any fish today?” Yes - how will the yes answer be used a) fish were caught, fishery is healthy b) fish were caught and this means the stock was over harvested c) this is an experienced angler that knows fish habitat and behavior and can therefore expect a productive day on the water. Is this science or science-fiction? Most divers and fisherman, with any experience of fish behaviors and fish habitats, know that fish can be in a certain location one day and not one to be seen or caught the next. When customers come into the shop after a day on the water I like to ask “how was your trip” and “were did you go”? Time and time again I hear the same answers as to the location of the dives and spearing trip. Again, how can a fishery be measured when only a small portion of that fishery is actually fished? Fishing is multi-billion dollar a year industry which brings in tourism, drives sales of fishing related products, creates jobs and in-turn generates tax revenues. Before destroying Florida’s economy and rich heritage of fishing, please make sure that sound, scientific data is used before drastic changes are made to fishing regulations.Flag
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Name: Jeffrey Hammac on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: clearwaterState: floridaComments:Flag
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Name: Joseph Chumley on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: Plant CityState: FlComments: We want to fish!Flag
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Name: Brad Kenyon on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: Tarpon SpringsState: FlComments:Flag
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Name: Diane Lasby Of Bethel Marine Electronics-Retail/Wholesale on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: RockledgeState: FlComments: We are "indepentantly owned company" catering to primarily the sportfishing industry. We are a company that employs 11 people, we all have families. We have been in business since 1971 and have seen a significant decrease in sales this last year due to the ecomomy. Any changes in the fishing rules and regs greatly affects us. Many of our clients are charter captains, struggling as it is. Please reconsider any bans on fishing unless you have really updated and current studies to base your decisions on. The studies that have been used are very old and the fishing conditions and amount of fish available is much more than what the reports say. We get this first hand from our charter captains. Thank you for the time to read our pleas.Flag
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Name: Capt Randall Keys on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: Madeira BeachState: FLComments:Flag
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Name: Capt. Steve Papen on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: SeminoleState: FLComments: We better hope they all see the error of their ways, or this state will be in trouble.Flag
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Name: David Bayes on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: St.PetersburgState: FloridaComments: I am the manager of Dogfish Tackle in Seminole Florida.We employ 7 people and if these closures go through some of our employees will be out of a job.There is no need for these closures the science is not there to justify such harsh action to the rec. sectorFlag
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Name: Sal DeVarti on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: Palm HarborState: flComments: Please give me back my job.I am a charter captain. These regulations are killing me and my family and the state of florida. Tourist come to florida to fish and eat fresh fish.The regulations need to be changed. Thank you Captain Sal DeVartiFlag
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Name: Captain Jim Fesperman on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: ClearwaterState: FloridaComments:Flag
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Name: Donald Mc Curdy on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: OldsmarState: FLComments: Very important to me I manage a tackle shopFlag
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Name: Aaron Portwood on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: PerryState: FLComments: Stop using bad data to manage fisheries! NOAA/NMFS should meet their congressional mandate to fix the fatally-flawed data collection system before imposing economic-devastating complete closures of fisheries that many Florida anglers and workers rely on to make a living!Flag
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Name: Carl S. Golas on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: MartinsburgState: NYComments:Flag
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Name: Anonymous on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: LargoState: FlComments:Flag
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Name: PK Lichtenberger on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: st petersburgState: flComments: I co-own a tackle store and our business is being killed by over regulation of recreational fishing.Flag
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Name: Margaret A. Rossi on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: Jersey CityState: N.J.Comments:Flag
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Name: CAPT RICK SILKWORTH on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: LUTZState: FLORIDAComments:Flag
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Name: T. A. Mahoney Co. Inc. on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: TampaState: FlComments: I have a small marine business in Tampa that employs 12 people. The restrictions that have already been put in place have negatively impacted my business and any more would criple it. I do not want to lay off employees but if this continues I will have no other choice.Flag
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Name: Richard Wilfong on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: LargoState: fllComments:Flag
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Name: Capt.John W Skinner on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: Madiera BeachState: Fla.Comments: What can i say as a Gill netter, i was told to get a captains liscense,which i been a 100 ton master doing private fishing, and all species are taken away.We wonder why people are jobless,the goverment says to do one thing then takes that away.What next?Please come up and help AMERICAN FISHERMAN,Capt John Skinner P.S Iwant my Grandchildren to see what their Granpa Loved dearly so maybe they can fish instead of going in the wrong directionFlag
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Name: Capt.John W Skinner on Feb 11, 2010City of residence: Madiera BeachState: Fla.Comments: What can i say as a Gill netter, i was told to get a captains liscense,which i been a 100 ton master doing private fishing, and all species are taken away.We wonder why people are jobless,the goverment says to do one thing then takes that away.What next?Please come up and help AMERICAN FISHERMAN,Capt John Skinner P.S Iwant my Grandchildren to see what their Granpa Loved dearly so maybe they can fish instead of going in the wrong direction,As usual you want money dont have any.Flag
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Name: Malena Nelson on Feb 12, 2010City of residence: St. PetersburgState: FLComments:Flag
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Name: Thomas E Adams on Feb 12, 2010City of residence: Port St JoeState: FlComments: When you have the public sector wanting to divide up your fisheries and sell them off to the highest bidder. There is a definite problem. Then you have pew and EDF wanting the same thing it makes you ask what is wrong with this country??Flag
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Name: Ida Kukuch on Feb 12, 2010City of residence: islinState: new jerseyComments:Flag
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Name: Matt Stafford on Feb 12, 2010City of residence: TampaState: Fl.Comments:Flag
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Name: Fred Hannon on Feb 12, 2010City of residence: Punta GordaState: FloridaComments:Flag
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Name: Travis Palladeno on Feb 12, 2010City of residence: Madeira BeachState: floridaComments:Flag
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Name: Capt. Ray Brown on Feb 12, 2010City of residence: Panama CityState: FloridaComments: been a boat capt. in Panama City since 1976Flag
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Name: Todd E Nye on Feb 12, 2010City of residence: St. petersburgState: FloridaComments: We understand and need catch quotas on our fish stocks to sustain fish populations and provide for future generations, however this should be based on accurate and impartial data not guess work.Flag
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Name: Capt Matt McDuffee on Feb 12, 2010City of residence: TampaState: FlComments:Flag
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Name: Cliff Hagan on Feb 13, 2010City of residence: vero beachState: flComments:Flag