John's Pass, Florida - Commercial fishermen, charter fishermen, and seafood restauranteurs came together to support a piece of legislation introduced by Congressman David Jolly (FL-13) that proposes to designate $10 million annually in federal grants for important data collection on red snapper and other reef fish species in the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf Red Snapper Data Improvement Act (H.R.3521) will fund third-party data collection through grants managed by the Southeast Regional Office of the National Marine Fisheries Service.
"Improving data collection lets managers make fewer assumptions. Fewer assumptions means better management. Better management promotes conservation and long-term sustainable access for all fishermen and seafood consumers. It all goes hand-in-hand, really. Congressman Jolly sees the big picture and understands how funding for data collection can, and should, be used to make sure we have healthy fish populations and long-term opportunities to fish for and eat wild, sustainably-harvested red snapper."
Jason DeLaCruz, commercial fisherman and owner of Wild Seafood Co. in John's Pass, Florida; Vice President of the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders' Alliance; Executive Director of Gulf Wild.
"Seafood consumers in Florida want fresh, wild, sustainably caught red snapper and grouper. The only way to make sure they can continue to do this is by managing these fisheries correctly, and to do that we need to always look for ways to improve data collection. Congressman Jolly's Bill will help fishermen and scientists collect more and better data about the fish I serve in my restaurants, and will help make sure I can continue to serve these sustainably-caught fish for years to come."
Frank Chivas, owner, Baystar Restaurant Group, Indian Rocks Beach, Florida.
"This is an industry-driven solution that Congressman Jolly has brought to the table that will provide better quota estimations for red snapper and other important reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico."
Mike Colby, charter fisherman, Clearwater, Florida; President, Clearwater Marine Association.
"Supporting this Bill is a no-brainer. No matter what side of the red snapper fence you're on, everyone should be able to come together and support more funding for more accurate data collection. Thank you, Congressman Jolly, for putting together a bill that brings fishermen together rather than one that pits us against each other like many of the divisive and controversial pieces of red snapper legislation we've seen recently."
Bill Tucker, commercial fisherman, Dunedin, Florida.
"Fishermen are great data collectors. There are commercial fishermen in John's Pass that are testing ways to electronically report to NMFS what they catch. There are even a few captains testing how video cameras onboard their boats can improve data collection. We hope Congressman's legislation will help continue to fund these and other important, innovative and creative data collection programs."
Glen Brooks, commercial fisherman, Clearwater, Florida; President of the Gulf Fishermen's Association.
"Improving data collection lets managers make fewer assumptions. Fewer assumptions means better management. Better management promotes conservation and long-term sustainable access for all fishermen and seafood consumers. It all goes hand-in-hand, really. Congressman Jolly sees the big picture and understands how funding for data collection can, and should, be used to make sure we have healthy fish populations and long-term opportunities to fish for and eat wild, sustainably-harvested red snapper."
Jason DeLaCruz, commercial fisherman and owner of Wild Seafood Co. in John's Pass, Florida; Vice President of the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders' Alliance; Executive Director of Gulf Wild.
"Seafood consumers in Florida want fresh, wild, sustainably caught red snapper and grouper. The only way to make sure they can continue to do this is by managing these fisheries correctly, and to do that we need to always look for ways to improve data collection. Congressman Jolly's Bill will help fishermen and scientists collect more and better data about the fish I serve in my restaurants, and will help make sure I can continue to serve these sustainably-caught fish for years to come."
Frank Chivas, owner, Baystar Restaurant Group, Indian Rocks Beach, Florida.
"This is an industry-driven solution that Congressman Jolly has brought to the table that will provide better quota estimations for red snapper and other important reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico."
Mike Colby, charter fisherman, Clearwater, Florida; President, Clearwater Marine Association.
"Supporting this Bill is a no-brainer. No matter what side of the red snapper fence you're on, everyone should be able to come together and support more funding for more accurate data collection. Thank you, Congressman Jolly, for putting together a bill that brings fishermen together rather than one that pits us against each other like many of the divisive and controversial pieces of red snapper legislation we've seen recently."
Bill Tucker, commercial fisherman, Dunedin, Florida.
"Fishermen are great data collectors. There are commercial fishermen in John's Pass that are testing ways to electronically report to NMFS what they catch. There are even a few captains testing how video cameras onboard their boats can improve data collection. We hope Congressman's legislation will help continue to fund these and other important, innovative and creative data collection programs."
Glen Brooks, commercial fisherman, Clearwater, Florida; President of the Gulf Fishermen's Association.
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