CURRENT ISSUES

Date Posted: January 27, 2017

Anglers are one step closer to reclaiming their fishing rights. In a huge blow to the Charter Fisherman’s Association (CFA is the sector separation front group for the Environmental Defense Fund), yesterday’s Appellate Court ruling DISMISSED an appeal by CFA to intervene in the FRA’s Sector Separation Lawsuit. The motion, filed in March and denied in August, claimed that CFA had standing as a defendant in the Sector Separation lawsuit. Craig Berman has continued to do an outstanding job on the FRA’s lawsuit. He has answered a motion to intervene from CFA. Yesterday, the Court agreed with Mr. Berman. The ruling seems to… Read More »

Date Posted: May 23, 2016

We receive many questions about the definition of sector separation, catch shares and the acronyms such as IFQ, MSY, ABC and more. Here are a few explanations and definitions that should provide you with some understanding. Sector Separation – Sub-dividing the recreational sector’s allowable catch among charter and headboat owners. An angler has no say in the loss of 42% (in the case of Gulf Red Snapper) of their fishing allocation. The angler has no say in who controls a right formerly held by the angler. The angler can not fish off their own boat, but can engage in exactly… Read More »

Date Posted: February 17, 2016

The FRA’s sector separation lawsuit is moving forward. We have solid arguments and are optimistic that we will prevail. You may have heard that the other sector separation lawsuit was not successful. We are the last standing complainant. This effort is not free to us.  We are grateful that Craig Berman is carrying the load on this one. Would you like to help Craig and support this stand against that which is wrong? Support the effort. Donate today. Just follow this link and click the donate button in the middle of the screen. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Date Posted: January 28, 2015

This morning, the FRA sent an email to the three Council members who are subject to removal for their violation of Magnuson. From: Dennis O’Hern <dohern@tampabay.rr.com> Date: January 28, 2015 at 2:58:39 AM EST To: “John Greene, Jr.” <fishorangebeach@gmail.com>, Harlon Pearce <nolrah@aol.com>, Corky Perrett <corkyperret@bellsouth.net> Cc: Doug Gregory <Doug.Gregory@gulfcouncil.org>, gulfcouncil@gulfcouncil.org, Roy Crabtree – NOAA Federal <roy.crabtree@noaa.gov> Subject: Resignation Request: You have violated Magnuson. Mr. Greene, Mr. Pearce and Mr. Perrett: The FRA has requested that the Secretary of Commerce remove you from the Council due to your non-disclosure of your positions with Gulf Seafood Institute, in violation of MSA 301(j).… Read More »

Date Posted: January 27, 2015

An FRA member recently discovered information which has lead to the following: In a letter today, The Fishing Rights Alliance has requested that the Secretary of Commerce remove three members from the Gulf Council for their failure to disclose Board of Director positions with a commercial advocacy and lobbying organization, in clear violation of the Magnuson Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act as reauthorized in 2007, known as Magnuson. Gulf Council members Corky Perrett (Miss), Harlon Pearce (La) and John Greene, Jr. (Ala) are on the Board of Directors of The Gulf Seafood Institute, whose lobbying efforts are made clear on their website. Perret,… Read More »

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