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DESTIN, Nov 08, 2009 (Northwest Florida Daily News - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Horns, waves, signs and shouts greeted motorists on the Marler Bridge on Saturday as more than 100 boats gathered in East Pass to rally for fishermen.

The vessels, including about 70 charter boats, formed a "symbolic blockade of the East Pass on the harbor," said Mike Eller, co-president of the Destin Charter Boat Association, which organized the local flotilla.

Fishermen also rallied in Panama City, Mexico Beach and Orange Beach, Ala., to publicize how closing the red snapper and amberjack seasons has affected their livelihoods and the problems with how data is collected to support the decisions.

People stood along Marler Bridge's walkway and waved signs to ask for support from motorists as boats converged in the pass.

Jami Jones, who owns Destin Charter and Adventure Charter at Fleet Marina, has been in the business for 10 years. But she stood on the bridge rather than join her fellow charter boat owners on the water because she had to leave for her second job because of the financial strain caused by the restrictions.

"It's crippling the entire industry," she said of the snapper and amberjack season closings. "The data doesn't support what they are saying. We need to do whatever we can. These guys are going out of business. They've been doing this for generations and want to pass the trade on to their sons, but this is shutting them down."

The National Marine Fisheries Service, which governs the recreational and commercial fishing industries, announced the closing of snapper season Sept. 20 and the amberjack season Oct. 24, based on surveys.

The Marine Recreational Fishery Statistics Survey was implemented in 1979 by the Fisheries Service to establish a database to estimate the impact of recreational fishing on marine resources.

The survey is conducted in all coastal states. The information is used by federal and state agencies to formulate fishery management plans, evaluate future demands on fish stocks and predict and evaluate the impact of fishery regulations.

Estimates generated from the survey include the total number of fish caught, released and harvested; the weight of the harvest; total number of angler trips; and number of people participating in marine recreational fishing.

Local fishermen believe the survey is flawed and eventually will lead to more restrictions despite larger fish populations, Eller said.

Norm Hall, a member of the Kelly Plantation Fishing Club, said he retired to Destin for the beach and the fishing.

"We want to make sure public officials understand the impact that poorly made decisions have had on the economic situation," he said as he stood on the bridge.

"We, as recreational fishermen, may not have moved here in the Northwest Florida region had we known these regulations were coming."

After the blockade, hundreds of people gathered for Destin's Silver Jubilee fish fry and a protest rally Eller called both educational and motivational.

"We want to draw people's attention to the literature," Eller said. "We're hoping to get Congress to fund a thirdparty independent stock assessment, which costs around $5 million. We also want them to fund a new recreational data system."

Several charter boat owners hope for "real-time data," or information delivered immediately after it is collected, to be put in place. Tracy Redding, owner of AAA Charters in Alabama, said real-time data would allow fisheries officials to know when they are approaching the quota and allow for planning for contingencies.

"We're trying to think outside of the box," Redding said.

Destin Mayor Craig Barker came Saturday for a celebration of Destin's history, which he said was an unfortunate coincidence.

"I think it's ironic that we're here celebrating Destin's history and heritage when our history and heritage is being threatened," Barker said.

"Our message is that the scientific data they are using to monitor fish stock is fatally flawed. The last eight years we've called on Congress to appropriate resources to do a full-blown stock assessment."

Elected officials at the federal and state levels say they are aware of the problems.

"I think (rallying) is an excellent idea; I support everyone's right to protect their industry," U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller said Friday in a telephone interview. "Right now, I'm working on the Marine Fisheries to overturn or open up the seasons. I'm now focusing on the next year's season of grouper, amberjack and snapper."

State Sen. Don Gaetz also has been trying to change policies to give fisheries managers more time and money.

"Fishing isn't just a way of life in Florida," Gaetz said Friday. "It's a major driver of our economy, particularly along the Gulf Coast."

As charter boat owners stepped up on the stage at Fishermen's Wharf on Saturday, they said the protest is their first step in what they know will be a long fight.

"We have to keep the momentum rolling," said George Eller, a charter boat captain for more than 30 years. "This is a good start. This is a good step. It's more than just a baby step. We need to do whatever it takes to right the wrongs."

Unifying fishermen and rallying for new policies and legislative support will be a continuing effort, Mike Eller said.

"The only fix is help from congressional leaders," he said. "This is not just a local problem; it's up and down the Atlantic Seaboard. It's really everywhere. We've got a lot of energy and effort going into this.

"People are fired up because what's been done is not fair; it's not right," Eller said.

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Angel Mccurdy

Copyright (C) 2009, Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach

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