Fighting for 

YOUR FISHING RIGHTS and

THE FUTURE OF RECREATIONAL FISHING

FISHING MATTERS TO ME rally

TIME TO STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS!  YOUR FISHING FUTURE IS AT STAKE!

Show up at the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) St. Pete office to demonstrate that FISHING MATTERS TO YOU.  Join together to make your voice heard at this EPIC demonstration and education gathering.  Well over a thousand people are expected to converge on common ground in St. Petersburg, FL.

A NOTE FROM DENNY:

This event was an idea that got thrown down with no schedule, permits or action plan.  After three weeks, the event has grown into what promises to be the largest gathering of fisherman ever. 

 

Many people are coming and all are clamoring for details.  We have been intentionally vague about those details, as people are working to thwart the impact and even the occurrence of the rally. 

 These actions have only hardened the resolve and expanded the circle of organizers for this event.  Directions, parking details, maps and all other pertinent information will be finalized and posted by Tuesday night on this web page.  When you arrive at the rally, you will be given the action plan.

While talking to NMFS has proven largely ineffective and counter-productive, Congress writes NMFS' checks and will certainly pay attention to the estimated five thousand people who intend to show up at this event.  WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH of NMFS mismanagement.  They are out of control, but will have a tough time running when Congress takes their budget away.  BREAKING NEWS-  The US House of Representatives voted 259-159 to discontinue spending on catch share for the remainder of the fiscal year.  Long overdue data and science improvements have been put aside while funding for catch shares previously mushroomed.  The time has come to hold accountable those who have failed to perform their duties to improve data collection and scientific accuracy.

We have invited Governor Scott and members of Congress and the state legislature to speak.  There will be many guest speakers that will present interesting information to us all.

Washington, DC is where we need to seek protection for the nation's recreational and commercial fishermen.  Many groups, one message.  Come out and show Congress the faces of affected anglers and fishermen.  WE FISH and WE VOTE.  Congress will use the turnout at this event to gauge the seriousness of our situation and requests.

Show up BY LAND OR BY SEA to get the tools YOU need to make a difference.  Maps of the event, including boat and car parking, will be updated as details are confirmed.  Expect all details to be posted here by Tuesday night, Feb. 22.

Hubbard's Marina will be representing with the MV Florida Fisherman II at the FRA 'demonstration and education event'. Any one who would like to go we will departing Hubbard's Marina at 7am and return 3pm. More info to come.

This event will be broadcast LIVE on FRA's web TV!

Check out the stage! 

Liberty's bill has been paid by another so you may breathe free.

Join us in honoring our fallen defenders of freedom.

THE SLEEPING
GIANT STIRS

February 25th, 9 AM Eastern

Click on photo for full size pdf and jpg

Ground ZERO

COMMON GROUND

310   13th Avenue South

St. Petersburg, FL  33701

MEDIA INQUIRIES click here

Frequently Asked Questions

Hotels, directions, parking, more

Check out the facebook page

"What should I say?"

Guidance on the issues  

National Marine Fisheries Service

263 13^th Ave S

St. Pete FL  33701

CHECK OUT YOUTUBE VIDEO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-KSGpJAcwA 

Billy Howell Ford

Questions?  email them to help@theFRA.org

OVERSIGHT HEARING QUESTIONS

Want to see the view from NMFS office? Imagine the views filled with concerned fishermen!

This one is the harbor view:

This one is the view of the stage and assembly area:

PRETTY NICE OFFICE, EH?

    We are needlessly losing JOBS because NMFS is using FLAWED DATA and OUTDATED SCIENCE, causing the closure of healthy fisheries. 

Jobs and livelihoods are needlessly being lost.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 9 AM to NOON

Check this page for updates, including broadcast information, as we get closer.

Questions?  email them to help@theFRA.org

This event flyer was created by John Wilson, www.jswCREATIVE.com, who is allowing the distribution of his copyrighted picture as flyers for this event.

SPREAD THIS AROUND! TACKLE STORES, DIVE SHOPS, MARINAS!

It is available with Gag Grouper or Red Snapper in pdf or jpg.

Fix FLAWED DATA

SCIENCE is OUTDATED

Uncertain science causes needless JOB LOSS

To the right are some suggestions for signs.

Below are some talking points for each of our three focus issues:

Fix FLAWED DATA -

Recreational landings and effort data are know to be fatally flawed.  Despite two mandates to repair the system in the past eleven years, little progress has been made.Answers from as few as twelve random people are used to estimate two months worth of saltwater fishing effort for one million people (Pinellas County).

Flawed data shows that recreational offshore fishing effort is off only 35% since its peak in 2006-2007.  Most other indicators point to a 75% reduction in effort. This would mean that landings estimates for gag grouper could be THREE TIMES what we actually land. 

Commercial limitations result in the loss of consumer's access to our Gulf resources, again because flawed data is causing the fisheries to close.  Once a fishing job goes away, it stays gone.  Catch share programs ignore discards by non-shareholders.

Outlaw OUTDATED SCIENCE

Current stock assessments are critical to sound management of fisheries.  The Gag Assessment was done in 2005.  Updates have been done since, but the full assessment process is needed to bring all current information into play.

Each new stock assessment uses a new, improved or different scientific model.  The newer the model, the more information the model needs.  Information that is not available, so it is made up or 'extrapolated'.

The Gag Assessment was declared unreliable when it first came out.  Why we have built the assessment updates on the flawed foundation is beyond reason.  A three BILLION dollar economic hit with 10,000 jobs lost leads a prudent person to demand current science.

Prevent needless loss of JOBS

A contrived crisis is being used to radically and unnecessarily reduce fishing effort, which has the direct effect of eliminating JOBS and livelihoods.

Fisheries are not currently being managed to maximize sustainable yield, maximize participation opportunities or maximize economic activity within healthy fisheries.

Flawed data and outdated science combine to produce unrealistically unfavorable stock assessments, in essence causing fishing activity and opportunity reductions and eliminations.  No fishing means no jobs.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is going on?  Who is behind it?

Where do I park?  Is it free?  Are there maps available?

What instructions are there for me if I come by boat?

When does it start?  When should I get there?

Are there hotels in the area?

What will be going on for three hours? 

Should I make up my own signs? 

Will the FRA have their famous badges?

I’m not up on every issue.  What if a reporter asks me a question?

Will there be any follow up or will I just stand for three hours and go home?

Will there be water, food, restroom facilities?

Is there a schedule of speakers?

Will there be t-shirts?

Will the Fishing Rights Alliance broadcast this event LIVE?  Where can I watch?

Is Tom Petty REALLY going to show up and play I won’t back down?

What is going on?  Who is behind it?

Flawed data and outdated science are causing unnecessary fishing closures, killing jobs and our economy.  The Councils and National Marine Fisheries Service encourage public input, then ignore it.  Enough is enough. It is time to make Congress bring this rogue agency under control.  The perfect storm of angler discontent will change forever the landscape of fisheries management.

The Fishing Rights Alliance has teamed up with several recreational and commercial groups to stage this event.  Southern  Offshore Fishing Association, the Old Salts Fishing Club and many other organizations are working together on this event.

Where do I park?  Is it free?  Are there maps available?

There is parking adjacent to the event lot. There are some aerial views of the rally area on this page.  Final detailed directions and maps will be posted on Tuesday evening.

The day of the event, we will put signs out directing you to the event.  Signs will be posted by 7 AM.  We will have people directing you to parking beginning at 8 AM. Click here for the updated maps.

What instructions are there for me if I come by boat?

If you're thinking of attending the rally with your boat here's what you need to know. Whether coming by water or trailer, below you'll find some helpful information.

The Harborage Marina has dedicated their transient dock for us (http://www.facebook.com/l/92f547d7FZemZ6nw7BB1KAwRcew/www.harboragemarina.com). They will be allowing us to begin tying up on Thursday evening (2/24) and departing on Sat morning (2/26). The fee will be $1.50 per ft; only charging a one day fee. Boat owners/guests will have full use of the facility. The dockmaster has asked that arrangements be made directly with them, 727-821-6347.

If you're planning on launching and anchoring up in Bayboro Harbor, you can launch at Demens Landing Park. http://www.facebook.com/l/92f54jY4EtSxWPreFrZAmwfalRg/www.stpete.org/parks/directory/demens_landing_park.asp

http://www.facebook.com/l/92f54FZs4CviCAvicvWc2EzkIEQ/www.lat-long.com/Latitude-Longitude-278234-Florida-Bayboro_Harbor.html

Make sure you have signs/banners for the boat. NMFS will have a birds eye view of the harbor & the rally land site.

I can't stress enough how important it is to have COMMERCIAL, CHARTER and RECREATIONAL boats in the view of NMFS windows. No sector separation on FEB 25!!!

When does it start?  When should I get there?

The main event will begin at 9 AM and conclude at noon.  We suggest that you arrive at least an hour early.  There will be plenty to do.

What hotels are in the area?

What will be going on for three hours? 

 Have a schedule of speakers.  We will have educational center booths so you can get information on specific issues.  There will be several organizations displaying information at the event.  T-shirts and bumper stickers will be available. 

You will hear from those who are on the front line of the fight for your fishing rights.  You will leave with ‘marching orders’ and a profound sense of understanding of the mission we must all undertake if we ar to defend and secure our rights.

Should I make up my own signs? 

That would be great.  We have some suggested wording for signs.  We will have blank signs n sharpies at our sign center.  We will have at least 1500 blank signs available for YOUR customization, so get there early.

Will the FRA have their famous badges?

The famous Fishing Rights Alliance Badges will be available with a variety of messages.

I’m not up on every issue.  What if a reporter asks me a question?

Watch the website for updated issue summaries.  Information sheets with issues, positions and talking pints will be available at the rally. 

Will there be any follow up or will I just stand for three hours and go home? 

At the event, you will need to pick up a copy of ‘marching orders’, a sheet which will give you a detailed action plan and talking points for the upcoming weeks.  There will be a list of legislators and their phone numbers on the sheet.  Some people may start calling the elected officials from the event itself.  There really is power in numbers.

Will there be water, food, restroom facilities?

Yes.  We have on site restroom facilities and two food vendors.  There will be information on area restaurants that support fishermen.  They will be expecting some of us for lunch after the event. 

The list will be posted on the website next week.

Is there a schedule of speakers?

Yes.  We have yet to announce the speakers, as we are still coordinating speaker invitations and schedules.

Will there be t-shirts?

Oh yeah.  And some FRA Angels will be helping you with your selection.

Will the FISHING RIGHTS ALLIANCE broadcast the event LIVE?  Where can I watch?

Yes, the FISHING RIGHTS ALLIANCE will broadcast and record the event.  Check this page on Wednesday night for the link.  If you can't be a part of history, at least you can watch history being made right before your eyes.

Is Tom Petty REALLY going to show up and play I won’t back down?

Denny hopes this is more than just an idle rumor.

OVERVIEW AND PARKING GARAGE

WALKING DIRECTIONS

EVENT AREA PARKING AND LAYOUT

We have a professional stage sound system and a 10 foot high 13 foot Jumbotron screen for the event. When you arrived at the event, seek out one of the booths that has the protest signs. Get assigned, make sure you register as a participant, and then find the booth that has your marching orders. We have many booths with clubs that have supported this rally as well as some unique vendors that have also supported this rally.

Obviously, this event is costing money to put on. We will be raising money to offset the expenses of the event with any additional proceeds being split between our wounded Warriors foundation and the fallen St. Petersburg police officers survivor fund.

We recommend that you would try to arrive approximately one hour early to allow yourselves time to make your signs and get your marching orders.

PLEASE CARPOOL WHERE POSSIBLE!!!

Directions to FISHING MATTERS TO ME rally:

You will most likely be coming in to St. Petersburg on Interstate 275. Take in I 275 to the I 175 exit in St. Petersburg. You can only go one way on I 75. Take it to the and about a mile and a half then you can either go straight for blocks to the Mahaffey theater parking garage which has 800 spaces and costs five dollars per person, or you can turn right at the end of I 175 to go down fourth street eight blocks, then turn left to the event and the parking around the event.

IMPORTANT NOTICE! We will have final details about the event posted here by 6 PM Wednesday. Please check back as we are working out new parking areas and other details about the event that we will be able to release tomorrow evening. Check back on this webpage after 6 PM Wednesday. Thank you.