Capt_Keith
Ol'Salt
Joined: Oct 18, 2004
Posts: 1596
Location: Holden Beach NC/Myrtle Beach SC
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 Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:39 pm Post subject: State group votes against fishing closure off S.C. coast |
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State group votes against fishing closure off S.C. coast
Final OK up to federal agency
By Zane Wilson - For The Sun News
A threatened closure of most offshore fishing was possibly averted Thursday when the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council voted for a closure that leaves South Carolina's coast open.
The 8-4 vote came on the same day that a legislative resolution passed urging the council not to close the state's offshore fishery and risk losing what is estimated at a $1billion industry, including both commercial and recreational fishing.
The prospect of loss of the fishery spurred protests in state capitals and in Washington from commercial and recreational fishers and some of the businesses that depend on them.
Tom Swatzel of Murrells Inlet, a boat captain and member of the four-state council that advises federal fishing regulators, said all three South Carolina members voted for the plan.
"Clearly the public outcry from the South Carolina General Assembly, coastal towns and counties, fishermen, and businesses had a significant effect on the outcome of the council vote," Swatzel said. "The unanimity of the S.C. fishery council members was vital to the outcome."
The council proposed the closure, which included about 3,500 square miles off the coast of South Carolina, as a way to foster recovery of overfished snapper and grouper.
South Carolina fishers and business owners protested that few snapper are caught offshore of the state, and that closures should be imposed where most of the fish are being caught.
The council's action proposes just that, shutting down an area mostly offshore of Florida.
"I am so excited. That is such a relief to know that they're listening," said Capt. Dan Manos, who works for the Little River Fishing Fleet.
"This is something that not only the commercial or charter fishermen could have done. It took us getting together to make this much smoke. We definitely appreciated the county council and others listening to us," Manos said.
Manos said fishermen in Little River and other areas of South Carolina are concerned that the closures in Georgia might still drive those fishermen north to South Carolina to find their fishing stock, but the fact that the ocean could remain open for the 3,500 miles off the S.C. coast is cause for some celebration.
The council's action, however, is not final. It must be approved by federal regulators.
Swatzel said final approval probably will not come until June, "so there is a real need for fishermen and coastal businesses to stay vigilant until the final vote."
Resolutions, which have no force of law but simply urge action, were introduced in both the state House and Senate by local lawmakers. Rep. Thad Viers, R-Myrtle Beach, filed one in the House which was sent to a committee and had not been acted on.
Sen. Ray Cleary, R-Murrells Inlet, filed the resolution in the Senate, which passed it Feb. 11 and sent it to the House. Again, the resolution was sent to a committee. But on Wednesday, lawmakers anxious to use it to influence action by the council withdrew it from the committee and it was adopted Thursday.
The council was meeting at Jekyll Island, Ga., where the vote on the fishing area closure was taken Thursday. Meetings continue today.
Staff writer Claudia Lauer also contributed to this story.
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Captain Keith
Feedin Frenzy Charters
843-907-0064
www.NorthMyrtleBeachFishingCharters.com
www.feedinfrenzycharters.com
www.southcarolina-offshore.com
www.southchathamtackle.com
www.BarefootFishing.net
www.fishfindertackle.com |
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