The Fishing Rights
Alliance advocates the sustainable use of and access to marine fisheries by promoting reasonable,
effective fisheries management policies through stakeholder activism and interaction
with the scientific community and regulatory agencies.
The FRA also endeavors to
inform and educate the membership and general public about issues concerning
fishing and marine resources.
The FRA acts to assure
that fishery regulations are based on sound scientific methods using valid data
and an accurate picture of the fishery.
The FRA will hold
accountable government agencies and organizations that fail to
properly manage our fisheries.
This may be old news to some, but is worthy of
passing along given the draconian regulation of our
recreational fishery.
A drone has officially been used to issue fishing
citations in Florida. From the
FWC law enforcement report in October:
The vessel
Peter Gladding
and crew along with NOAA
officials spent six days in the Dry Tortugas testing
an unmanned, remote-controlled drone called, "the
Puma AE." The Puma AE captures images, video, and
has infrared capabilities. During the test flight,
it was used to map corals, locate turtles, and track
migrating birds. While in flight, the small aircraft
Puma AE is extremely stealthy and can barely be seen
or heard and can be launched, operated, and
recovered from small vessels. Because of its
numerous attributes, officers were quick to realize
that the aircraft is also perfect for law
enforcement applications. The operation concluded
with Officers Martin Messier, Raul Pena-Lopez, and
Josh Peters issuing two federal citations. The first
citation was issued onboard a diving vessel
operation that illegally entered, moored, and
conducted diving activity within the Tortugas North
Ecological Reserve without an access permit. The
second citation was issued on a sailing vessel
actively fishing illegally within the Tortugas South
Ecological Reserve. The officers also issued a
citation for a marine sanitation device violation
after they discovered the y-valve was not properly
secured.
Note that this is a federal operation. Spying on FL
citizens with federal dollar-supported drones has
become acceptable? Life, liberty the pursuit of
happiness and the right to privacy and to be free
from unreasonable search and seizure all mean
NOTHING to the NOAA/NMFS.
Have you or anyone you know of
been issued a citation using drone video? Please
contact us at
FRA@tampabay.rr.com.
High noon approaches for the showdown between good
and evil, right and wrong in our fisheries
management.
There is a solution. It
involves YOU. Stay tuned for your CALL TO ACTION
later today.
CATCH THE FRA REPORT
on REEL
ANIMALS morning radio!
Tampa, FL Saturday 6-8 on 970 AM and
Sunday 7-9 on 620 AM.
Hook up
on iHeart radio on your smart phone, tablet, MAC or PC.
Thank
you for your support of The Fishing Rights Alliance! Without
donations
from people like you, we would not be able to fight for sound
science.
Today U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Roger Wicker (R-MS),
Thad Cochran (R-MS), Richard Shelby (R-AL), Jeff Sessions
(R-AL), David Vitter (R-LA), Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Kay Hagan
(D-NC) sent a letter
(below) to the U.S. Government
Accountability Office "requesting a review of how the
Department of Commerce conducts stock assessments in the Gulf of
Mexico and South Atlantic. The stock assessments
conducted by the National Marine Fisheries Service are critical
in maintaining the vitality of the fisheries, the fishing
communities, and related industries in Florida and the region."
"Stock
assessments are the foundation of sound fishery management,"
said Rubio. "It is vital that, as we work to preserve
the waters and resources surrounding Florida and other states,
we base our management decisions on sound science. The
report we've requested today will shed light on the
decision-making process within the National Oceanic Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) and will help us to determine the best
path forward so that we can ensure the economic livelihood of
the fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic and the
industries that depend on them."
The Florida
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission meeting in Orlando
yesterday produced some interesting results. Regarding red
snapper in state waters, the FWC expressed their concerns
which mirrored those of other states over the true health and
picture of the red snapper stock in the Gulf of Mexico. The FWC
took a seriously unexpected step in declaring that state waters
will be open for 44 days for red snapper starting June 1 this
year. Their logic was simple: Last year, we had a 40 day season;
red snapper are unanimously agreed to be more abundant this
year; therefore, we should have a LONGER season than last year.
This
decision reflects the FWC's total frustration with the federal
management of our red snapper stocks. The decision has grave
impacts on federally permitted charter fishermen. Under the
current laws, which were dreamed up and put in place by the
National Marine Fisheries Service, a federally permitted charter
boat operator may not fish in state waters if federal waters are
close. This incredibly arrogant control of state waters by a
federal appointed official appeared to be the straw that broke
the camel's back with the FWC. The ball is now in NMFS' court.
To say NMFS is embarrassed is an understatement. Congress will
be appalled, once again. Perhaps a trip to the woodshed would
affect the direction of future federal management actions.
The Fishing
Rights Alliance thinks that these federal permit holders may
have grounds for a class action lawsuit against National Marine
Fisheries Service. In all likelihood, if Louisiana and Florida
do not change their state water openings, the National Marine
Fisheries Service will not even open red snapper to recreational
anglers in Gulf federal waters in 2013. That would restrict
federal permit holders to no red snapper fishing whatsoever.
That is both a travesty and an outrage. The FRA will attempt to
organize those who are interested into a focus group to explore
with legal counsel what options are available for relief. This
in no way should imply that there is any legal remedy at this
point. The affected parties' legal remedies will only be
discussed and explored with attorneys. Interested, affected
parties should email
Dennis@theFRA.org with
your contact information. The anglers unable to fish in federal
waters, whether from a professional captain's boat or one's own
boat, are also affected. Stay tuned for information regarding
our remedies.
Sportfish/gamefish status in Florida
There was a
move by a small group of individuals to force a framework into
Florida's fisheries management process which would have allow
the classification, one by time consuming one of fisheries into
a non-consumptive (ZERO TAKE, catch and release only) fisheries
without any evidence of biological need whatsoever. With nifty
titles such as the Sportfish and Gamefish, these designations
would have provided additional restrictions on fishing
opportunity and consumptive fishing with no biological need
whatsoever. This would come at the cost of many for the benefit
of very few. Fortunately, there were many parties involved in
opposition. Oddly enough, all of them were directly associated
or aligned with the Fishing Rights Alliance. The FRA was the
only group who outright opposed all of the classifications. We
opposed them on the basis of a lack of biological need and the
potential to reduce our fishing opportunities at the whim of a
few commissioners.
Public
input on this issue saw 13 speakers oppose all status and seven
speakers support some or all of the status concepts. The 13
opposing speakers made valid points and suggested that if there
was any status at all given, it should be in name only. After
public input, Commissioner Wright began with a 10 minute
rebuttal to every objection presented by the speakers.
Commissioner Wright was wholly in support of this concept in its
entirety. Thankfully, other commissioners understood the larger
picture and the implications to our fisheries. After four
commissioners expressed their opposition to any of the
framework, Commissioner Wright wisely capitulated to the
majority and the commission voted unanimously to direct staff to
look at just giving a name status name bonefish and tarpon.
There is no legal framework attached. This Commission truly
expressed the will of the majority of the stakeholders and state
of Florida. Feel free to send an email of thanks to
commissioners@myfwc.com.
To all
those people who on short notice sent e-mails of concern to the
commissioners I say 'nice job!'. You made a difference! To all
who showed up and sat in uncomfortable chairs for nearly 8
hours- I am so glad that you were able to participate in the
process and have a front row seat for such a positive outcome.
To those who may have had time to send an e-mail, but have felt
let down by the system and the process lately, this should serve
as some encouragement to show you that WE make a difference and
we are going to prevail. The cost of freedom is eternal
vigilance. We don't just win one or as one and it's over. We
will prevail.
We
need your help
The FRA
fights for the rights of the nation's recreational anglers. As
we all know, freedom is not free. The FRA executes its
strategies in amazingly efficient ways. We still do have to put
fuel in the tank and we always strive to make the machine
bigger, better and even more efficient and effective. We make a
little go a long way. Please help us today.
There are
several ways you can help. You could
click here to donate a few 'gallons of gas' on the front
page of the FRA website. You could sign up for the
FRA Blast which is scheduled for March 9. It's a sporting
clays trapshooting event held at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays in
Land O Lakes Florida. Or you could
sponsor the FRA BLAST. Not sure if your membership is
current? If you're not,
renew your membership. If the membership dates overlap we
will extend your membership by the full-year. On behalf of the
FRA's Board of Directors advisory panel, we appreciate your
support and we look forward to continuing to fight for your
right to fish.
We hope to
see you at the Tribune Outdoors Expo/Frank Sergeant show, March
1-3 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa.
Stay the
course my brothers and sisters in arms,
Denny
ATTEND PUBLIC OUTCRY
Gulf Council takes public input on
'regional management'
South Atlantic public input starts 1-22
Will FWC create unrestricted,
unnecessary no-take rules?
Find out Feb 13 in Orlando
FRA BLAST 2 - March 9
Reel Animals/Tribune Outdoors Expo -
March 2
St Pete turnout light, message unanimous!
What is the idea? States lose power,
anglers lose quota. Big showdown in Mobile.
ATTEND PUBLIC OUTCRY on regional management
The Gulf Council's current proposal for regional
fisheries management sounds like a good idea that should
better serve the individual interests of the citizens of
each state. Upon closer examination, it appears to
further reduces a state's power to manage its fisheries.
Why, you may ask? Evidence points to the sector
separation/catch share ploy, as indicated by the body of
its supporters.
While seemingly driven by the states' exasperation with
the influence exerted by NMFS on the Council's
management decisions, this actually gives NMFS greater
power to close fisheries. NMFS' own Dr. Crabtree clearly
stated that the states were free to do whatever they
wanted. However, when NMFS says the quota is reached,
all areas of the Gulf will be declared closed,
regardless of what region was scheduled for what time of
the year. Watch NMFS further reduce the gulf-wide
allowable quota as a punitive measure for a state
'stepping out of line'. All by using still-flawed data.
Something has gone greatly awry when the states are
upset with NMFS and the chairman of the Gulf Council
calls the process obscene due to NMFS failure to
acknowledge true stock size.
That states are calling for their own 'regional'
management when the Gulf Council IS the regional manager
for the gulf indicates their frustration with the NMFS'
domination of the process. Shouldn't the STATES be
driving the management, with NMFS providing the
requested services? Isn't that the goal of the
'amendment'?
Pie denied. By underestimating the red snapper
and gag stock sizes, NMFS is in essence telling us we
can only have a small slice of the sustainable harvest.
Pitting stakeholders against each other generates jobs
at NMFS while creating a diversion from the catch shares
end run.
Many anglers feel that NMFS refusal to acknowledge
scientific data and stakeholder input demonstrates a
blatant disregard toward stakeholders. NMFS' unnecessary
restrictions cost billions in economic damage, damage
forever the dynamic of the livelihoods of commercial and
recreational fisheries. NMFS outright denial of an
angler's right to fish is also viewed as obscene.
Any idea that involves giving greater value to the
fatally flawed data will only cause further
losses of our fishing rights. We must focus on the stock
itself. We must focus on
the fact that the fish are there and we are being denied
access to a sustainable resource.
QUESTION- IS the red snapper stock assessment now being
conducted a FULL BENCHMARK or a MODIFIED BENCHMARK
assessment? This makes a BIG difference. We will share
the official answer with you when NMFS' lawyers approve
a response.
The time has come when we ALL realize that our quota of
SUSTAINABLE HARVEST should be two to three times higher
than NMFS allows. Not just in the gulf red snapper
fishery, but in nearly EVERY fishery NMFS manages.
The Gulf Council needs to take control of the situation.
Demand a full benchmark assessment for Red Snapper. Make
NMFS do the work they are supposed to do. To have
anything less is obscene.
Suggested talking points:
Demand a full benchmark assessment
Demand an emergency rescission of the spawning
closure for shallow water grouper immediately. If Roy
can use his superpowers to close fisheries with five
days notice, he sure as hell can OPEN them.
Focus on regional management at the Council
level, where all five states sit face to face.
Days at sea and fish tags are CATCH SHARES.
Opportunity to fish drives recreational anglers
and the economy.
Modify the IFQ amendments so that If commercial
IFQs are ever found to be sold for recreational
purposes, that indicates a need to reallocate the quota
associated with those shares immediately and permanently
to the recreational sector, with no compensation.
Demand that NMFS comply with Magnuson on
recreational angler registration and ACL's.
Keep your eye on the ball. That ball is CATCH SHARES and
is currently called
SECTOR SEPARATION and REGIONAL MANAGEMENT.
SHOW UP IF YOU CAN. YOU NEED TO BE COUNTED!
Public input will be taken at the locations listed
below.
You can send comments to the Gulf Council via email
using
gulfcouncil@gulfcouncil.org We
recommend that you send those comments in by 1/25/13.
January 22, 2013
Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park
950 Lake Carillon Drive
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
Those in the St. Petersburg area are still quite upset
by the council's complete arrogance surrounding the
absence of any Council member at the last public input
meeting in St. Pete.
South Atlantic Public Outcry scheduled. FRA
talking points to follow.
Public Scoping and Hearings Scheduled for
January 22 - 30, 2013
Scoping: Amendment 5 to the Dolphin Wahoo
Fishery Management Plan
Public Hearing: Amendment 27 to the Snapper
Grouper Fishery Management Plan
Council members and staff will be available to answer
questions and provide informal presentations on measures
proposed in two amendments to fishery management plans
during a series of meetings scheduled for January. Meetings
are scheduled from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM
unless otherwise noted. See below for the public hearing
schedule and locations. Written comments must be submitted by 5:00 PM on
February 4, 2013.
Details for submitting written comments are included in
the amendment documents below.
Amendment 5 to the Dolphin Wahoo Fishery
Management Plan - Scoping
The Council is soliciting public input as part of the
scoping process for Amendment 5. The amendment is in the
early stages of development and the Council has not
chosen any preferred management alternatives at this
time. The Council is currently considering the following
actions for dolphin and wahoo: 1) Revise ABC, ACL
(including sector ACLs), sector allocations, and
recreational ACTs for dolphin and wahoo based on MRIP
estimates; 2) Revise the Accountability Measures for
dolphin and wahoo;3) Modfiy the dolphin sector
allocations; and 4) Revise the framework procedures in
the Dolphin Wahoo FMP. See the Scoping Document for
additional details.
Amendment 27 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management
Plan - Public Hearing
Public hearings will be held on Snapper Grouper
Amendment 27. The amendment includes the following
actions: 1) Extend management responsiblity of Nassau
grouper to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council
in Gulf of Mexico waters; 2) Increase the number of
allowable crewmembers on dual-permitted snapper grouper
vessels; 3) address captain and crew bag limit retention
of snapper grouper; 4) Modify the snapper grouper
framework procedures to allow ABC levels, ACLs, and ACTs
to be adjusted via Federal Register Notice; and 5)
Modify management measures for blue runner. See the
Public Hearing Document for additional details.
Note:the
Council is expected to approve this amendment for
submiision to the Secretary of Commerce during its March
2013 meeting.
REGISTER FOR THE FRA BLAST 2click
for more info
March 9th, 2013. Tampa Bay Sporting Clays, 1 PM.
Everybody loved the first one. This will be EVEN
BETTER!
Guns galore and other delightful awards!
FLORIDA FWC MEETING in Orlando, Feb 13 & 14
Harvest restriction scheme -
gamefish & sportfish
Your rights are in danger of being taken (again).
If you make comments, here is some guidance: Go
on record that NMFS has still not met the requirements
of the Universal Angler Registration. The current
‘improved’ MRIP is anything but improved. Oppose any
reduction in opportunity and opposed and issues with
damaging economic consequences.
MARK YOUR
CALENDARS! FRA BLAST 2
March 9th, 2013. Tampa Bay Sporting Clays,
1 PM. Details to follow
GAG-ULATIONS
Check out the
gag presentation on the FWC website.
Then consider the comments below and form your own
opinion. You really need to make a comment on this
issue.
You can send
your comments to the commissioners at commissioners@myFWC.com.
Please also copy the FRA at
FRA@TampaBay.rr.com for our
records, as we will be presenting input in person at the
meeting. Please send your comment in by Tuesday
morning (Dec.4).
Some
points to mention to the FWC:
The
biologically correct minimum size of the gag grouper is
upwards of 24 inches. Moving the minimum size to 24
inches would quite possibly allow us to have an eight or
10 month state waters gag season. The release mortality
numbers are incredibly low, as evidenced by the F WC's
mangrove snapper and grouper tagging studies. The
economic impact and the cost of fishing opportunity to
the residents of the state of Florida is excessive and
completely unnecessary.
Florida should consider opening all of its state waters
for whatever period of time they choose. Well it seems
like sound regional management, it does present unfair
opportunities for given areas at the expense of others
not in that area.
Given that 25% of all recreational saltwater fishing in
the US takes place in the state of Florida, this stage
should see quite a bit of funding for its data gathering
efforts. Why do our state representatives on the Gulf
Council still participate in catch shares discussions
and moving them forward, instead of criticizing the
National Marine Fisheries Service for its spending on
catch shares when Congress came and clearly told them to
stop all catch share activity?
While the FWC went out of their way to take public input
in the Panhandle on the gag issue, the Gulf Council did
not even bother to send a representative to take public
input on gag grouper to Pinellas County, the heart of
gag fishing in the Gulf Mexico. Please hold the Gulf
Council accountable for their violation of the public
trust.
FRA will broadcast the FWC meeting’s fisheries
portion.
Wednesday, 8:30 AM eastern time until it
is over.
HEAR THE FRA REPORT on REEL
ANIMALS morning radio shows
Tampa, FL Saturday 6-8 on 970 AM and
Sunday 7-9 on 620 AM.
A great way to listen is
through iHeart radio either on your smart phone, tablet,
MAC or PC.
On December 5, in Apalachicola Florida, the FWC
commissioners will discuss new classifications of fish
as sport fish and game fish. Certain classifications
will result in a no take policy for fisheries that
currently are harvested and generate recreational
angling opportunities. Two of the fisheries being named
are in absolutely no biological trouble whatsoever. This
is merely a ploy by a few elitist anglers who wish to
eliminate most competition for one of their prized
sports, which is to fight a fish on light tackle to near
exhaustion.
You can
follow this link to see the current presentation
that will be made on the issue before the commissioners
have their discussion. To see the draft rule,
follow this link. The FRA urges everyone to
contact the commissioners to weigh-in on this subject
and make a difference. The commissioners do tend to
listen when large groups of people say the same thing.
Here is our message: there shall be no restrictions on
or discrimination of anglers in any fishery unless
absolutely biologically necessary or by general consent
of the angling community. Interestingly, this has been
pretty much how the FWC has operated in the past. The
FRA has, on many occasions, publicly acknowledged the
generally outstanding job that the FWC does with our
fisheries.
In order to protect ourselves from another loss of
fishing rights, we need to take action now that will let
the FWC know, in no uncertain terms, that this is wholly
unacceptable. You must send a comment to the
commissioners on this issue before the December 5
meeting.
Why would the commission spend its precious dollars on
such ridiculous pursuits when data collection, stock
assessment and biological research are still sorely
underfunded? Why would we spend one dime of the state’s
money to needlessly eliminate a source of economic
activity? Why would the FWC violate 397.104, the right
to hunt and fish?
For your comments, we suggest that you lead off with
Dear Commissioners: and sign off with your full name and
mailing address. This will give your email more
credibility. Send to
commissioners@myfwc.com and
fra@tampabay.rr.com
.
Some comment points to consider for submission:
In December or 2010,
the FWC declared that the pompano and permit were
healthy and there was no need for further
restrictions. The FWC also declared that there
should be no discrimination against spearfishing
gear for recreational harvest. This ‘status
classification’ seems like an end run to get further
gear restrictions. There is absolutely no biological
need for any of these regulations. The imposition
of an individual's will that results in the closure
of harvest of a healthy fishery and the reduction of
opportunity for the recreational angler is
completely unacceptable.
The designation of
sport fish or game fish will do nothing to protect
the species nor will it enhance economic value of
the fishery.
Pompano and permit
are in no trouble whatsoever. Since there is no
compelling biological reason, harvest prohibitions
on these fish is in violation of
FL 379.104.
This is an obscene
waste of our limited FWC resources. Data collection
and biological research are underfunded and
undermanned at the FWC. Put the resources to work
doing good for the state, not a few privileged
individuals.
Gear discrimination
is wrong, as the FWC has publicly stated. An angler
can harvest a fish with a net, hook or spear. The
same size and bag limits apply to all the gear. Why
would the state act to restrict access and reduce
economic activity?
Permanently table
68B-2.010.
GAG-ULATIONS
The state of Florida is considering what to do with gag
fishing regulations for the Gulf for the year 2013. The
National Marine Fisheries Service has set an opening of
July 1 for gag grouper in the Gulf of Mexico. The
closure date will be based on a decision made solely by
an appointed individual. With no accountability or
consequences for mismanagement.
There is compelling new evidence that the release
mortality for gag and other groupers is significantly
less than what is currently being used to calculate our
allowable catches. Recalculating using the lower release
mortality figures offers a much more optimistic view and
a longer gag season for us all.
The National Marine Fisheries Service, with its fatally
flawed data machine, has destroyed economies and
fisheries across our nation. This mismanagement has
caused California, Oregon, Washington, Texas and now
Louisiana to all reject the national Marine fisheries
service rulings. We urge Florida to begin building the
framework that will allow us to manage our own
fisheries. The national Marine fisheries service will
work for the state of Florida, not the other way around.
We will have more information and talking points
available on this issue tomorrow. Stay tuned. In the
meantime make sure you submit comments to the FWC
regarding the permit and Pompano regulations.
Ponder this: The National Marine Fisheries Service
attempts to deny your rightsby calling them
'privileges'. We, the people, along with the state
of Florida, agree that we have the RIGHT to fish.
By consent of the governed, we agree that reasonable
regulations promote healthy, sustainable fisheries.
Our rights are denied when our opportunity to fish is
unnecessarily eliminated.
Here is Florida's Law.
Make NMFS abide by it.
379.104 Right to hunt and
fish.—The Legislature recognizes that hunting, fishing,
and the taking of game are a valued part of the cultural
heritage of Florida and should be forever preserved for
Floridians. The Legislature further recognizes that
these activities play an important part in the state’s
economy and in the conservation, preservation, and
management of the state’s natural areas and resources.
Therefore, the Legislature intends that the citizens of
Florida have a right to hunt, fish, and take game,
subject to the regulations and restrictions prescribed
by general law and by s. 9, Art. IV of the State
Constitution. History.—s. 8, ch. 2002-46; s. 8, ch.
2008-247.
Note.—Former s. 372.002.
COMING TOMORROW: PERMIT ME TO FISH? and GAG-ULATIONS
Time to get it on.
Are you on the FRA email list? Sign up
below (click here)
WE FISH AND WE VOTED Representative Steve Southerland, FL 2nd
District, was re-elected despite the sleazy
actions of some so-called environmentalists, as
previously mentioned. Between the admitted
$350,000 from a scam group and a reported
million dollar shot of Democratic party money to
unseat a Republican, Steve Southerland faced a
formidable opponent: Well funded lies. But
the RECREATIONAL ANGLER and other Southerland
supporters rose up and slapped down the efforts
to steal an election based on outside money and
total lies. The sleeping giant stirred
once again.
The time for improving fisheries management is
now. We must act to save and recover jobs
needlessly lost to this march on our fishing
rights. We need to peel back the shroud of
secrecy around the workings of our fisheries
managers. Fatally flawed data is just the
tip of the iceberg. Congress can effect a
solution.
The shenanigans will continue until we all act
as one. That is a tall order, as some have
much more to lose than others. In a larger
sense, and what many don't see, is the effect on
every citizen of our great country. The
economic and social impacts of unnecessarily
eliminating fishing opportunities are ignored in
lieu of flawed data and multiple 'precautionary'
levels of science and management that perpetuate
the careers of bureaucrats. The time for
the sleeping giant to fully awaken is upon us.
Time to get it on.
Are you on the FRA email list? Sign up
below (click here)
Below is an opinion piece
by Captain Bob Zales, who is an icon in the
fisheries management arena. His opinion is
shared by the FRA board and membership.
Read below
the opinion piece to see the verification of
such audacity by an 'enviro' group. Time
for the sleeping giant to stand up and shut down
this threat to our very way of life. Read
on. Oh yeah, VOTE TODAY if you have not
done so. Make a special effort to get the
vote out for Steve Southerland, District 2
Florida Representative. Call your friends.
It is critically important.
Captain
Zales writes:
For everyone to see how the EXTREMISTS, WACKO,
SCUM OF THE EARTH ENVIROS work in trying to
eliminate fishermen and boaters and all users of
our resources from the water, take a look at the
email below from Dave Wilmot co-founder and self
declared President of ocean champions. I know
dave have sat on nmfs advisory panels with him
and can tell you from personal experience that
his mission in life is to eliminate fishermen
and users of our resources from free access to
our oceans. He is just one example of the
EXTREMISTS, WACKO, SCUM OF THE EARTH ENVIROS who
spend not just thousands of unearned money, but
millions of dollars to end our way of life, harm
our families, and destroy our communities.
Yes, hell yes, if you are one of these
EXTREMISTS, WACKO, SCUM OF THE EARTH ENVIROS,
this message is also for you and comes from BOB
ZALES, II, Charter Captain and family member of
a 47 year business. As a disclaimer for any of
the other idiot supporters of these EXTREMISTS,
WACKO, SCUM OF THE EARTH ENVIROS, know that this
message if from me, by me, and me alone and not
approved by any organization I am affiliated
with although I highly suspect the vast majority
of the people who are also members feel the same
as me.
Folks, this is why we can’t fish. Why we have to
run miles around areas closed to fishing, why we
have 90% of our seafood imported, why we have
lost thousands of fishing jobs, have families
who have lost their heritage, and communities in
despair. Next time you see an EDF, Ocean
Conservancy, Marine Fish Conservation Network,
Oceana, Pew and any other extremist enviro
member or supporter, thank them, for working so
hard to end your way of life.
For those who will receive this email please
send to everyone you know. For those who will
try to make something out of this and assert
this message is from any org I am affiliated
with PLEASE send this on to whoever. My
disclaimer above speaks for me and should any
EXTREMISTS, WACKO, SCUM OF THE EARTH ENVIROS
want to talk to me I will be more than happy to
call you an EXTREMISTS, WACKO, SCUM OF THE EARTH
ENVIRO to your face.
Explicitly
Bob Zales, II
CITIZEN of the UNITED STATES of AMERICA and home
of FREEDOM
Thank you Steve Southerland, for all you do to
protect my rights and to ensure our country
remains free!!!!!
Friends,
We expected
an attack from the enviros, and now that we
know just how they operate, we need to
inform our friends and family. Everyone
needs to know how the left works and who
works with them to defeat good men like
Steve Southerland. Please pass this on to
everyone you know, post it on your facebook
page and encourage all your friends and
family to vote. Ask them to vote for Steve
in district 2 and to vote for Romney
everywhere. America deserves better.
THE ATTACK:
FRA FINDS THE
FOLLOWING REPREHENSIBLE AND WORTHY OF PUBLIC
BACKLASH
Dear Jeff,
To date, we’ve
been a little coy about the details of
our
campaign to “Sink
Southerland.”
We simply didn’t want to give away any
information that could help Ocean Enemy
#1. However, with the election a day
away, there’s no time for Southerland's
campaign to respond, so we wanted to let
you know what your generous support
enabled us to do. FRA
FINDS THIS REPREHENSIBLE AND WORTHY OF
PUBLIC BACKLASH
First, we were able to contribute over
$350,000 to this
campaign!
That’s more than we’ve ever spent on a
single race, and it couldn’t have
happened without you!
No group can impact a race on its own,
however, and we’re proud to have been
part of a strong coalition where
everyone played to win. If you’ve ever
wondered what a comprehensive ocean
political campaign looks like, here’s
what we were able to do thanks to your
support:
Partner on a poll with House
Majority PAC in mid-September that
showed the race was very close and
Southerland was vulnerable. This was
an important indicator for groups
watching the race.
Fund two weeks of anti-Southerland
TV ads in both major markets in the
District.
Launch a ground game that had
trained professional canvassers
making two passes of 30,000 homes to
persuade fence sitters and turn out
the anti-Southerland vote.
Complete person-to-person “get out
the vote” phone calls for 20,000
more homes.
Run anti-Southerland radio ads the
week leading up to the election.
FRA FINDS THIS
REPREHENSIBLE AND WORTHY OF PUBLIC
BACKLASH
Our partners bought more TV, digital
media, and tracking polls, allowing us
to collectively cover every conceivable
channel.
This was a
HUGE campaign
that left nothing on the table. Will it
be enough? Tomorrow will tell!
Elections Matter,
David Wilmot, Ph.D.
President and Co-Founder
Mike Dunmyer
Executive Director
P.S. Thanks also
for your support of our
endorsed
candidates.
In our push to help elect 40 champions,
we were able to
endorse and
support 46.
Tomorrow will be a big day for the
oceans!
Paid for by
Ocean Champions,
www.oceanchampions.org,
and not authorized by any candidate
or candidate's committee.
ED
