Dock to Dish Seafood Market Comes to Key West

I'm not exactly what constitutes a "community supported" seafood market...  Probably the only real "community" supported market was the Rusty Anchor, but after their bout with the law, that's all but withering on the vine. And just like FishBusterz, there real focus was on taking what was caught in the Florida Keys and exporting it... then supplying their customers with "jet-fresh" dolphin and tuna as well as either out of season or undersize snapper and grouper from South America. All perfectly legal, you see. Just somewhat on the otherside of ethical. 

Eaton Street Seafood is probably the best.  They do a pretty good job of supplying local product to end-level consumers.

But Chris Holland at Ibis Bay is going to try to start one. Dock to Dish is a membership-based seafood market originating in Montauk. Founded by Sean Barrett, the market will stay in touch with its members via social media and smartphones and tablets to let them know what's available. 

In theory, its a good idea, but in practice, I'm not sure how I feel about this.  If there's one thing we SHOULDN'T be doing... its promoting more commercial exploitation -- and exportation -- of our marine resources in the Florida Keys.

Snapper and grouper have been under constant attack, and there aren't really that many commercial fishermen who have the necessary permits to provide dolphin, tuna (other than blackfin, which are sellable under an ever-shrinking loophole) and wahoo on a commercial basis since an end was brought to charter sales. But if you believe that there aren't any more unethical charter captains (or unscrupulous anglers, for that matter) selling their catch lllegally, I have a rather nice, prime piece of ocean front real estate in Arizona that I'd like to discuss with you. 

There is a tremendous blackmarket in the Florida Keys for fresh seafood, and it needs to be brought under control. Maybe this a good step in the right direction. Or maybe its not. But either way, hopefully the authorities will be monitoring and keeping an eye on who's doing what.

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GMO Mosquitos Good or Bad

This is an interesting, brief documentary on the controversial move to attempt to release genetically modified mosquitos created by Tamara Laine. This was produced over two years ago, and I am sorry I am only seeing it now. 

I am afraid that the horse has already left the barn, then the embattled director of the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District is going to have an uphill climb if testing moves forward against public opinion/wishes.

If you want to join the petition against being a guinea pig, go here.  If for some reason the video doesn't play, click here.

Florida Keys Keynoter's Coverage of Key's Casita Case

Casitas -- illegal artificial habitat -- pose a threat to natural habitat such as coral and seagrass. They also render spiny lobster susceptible to over-harvest by unscrupulous commercial divers. Photo courtesy FKNMS/NOAA.

So the Florida Keys Keynoter ran their version of the lobster poaching plea deal (see below) and it contained an interesting bit of information. Apparently the charges against the three brothers that were indicted stemmed from information given by David Driefort, the commercial diver who was the subject of the highest profile casita case yet, dubbed operation "Freezer Burn" as part of his plea deal. 

Illegally placed casitas after removal from the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Photo courtesy FKNMS/NOAA.

It still breezes over the fact that three brothers are the only ones yet to receive merely misdemeanor convictions. Nearly every other defendant that has stood before Federal judges in these types of cases have plead to felonies, costing them their right to vote as well as the right to bear arms.

The interesting thing about this piece, however, is that it does cite Driefort as a cooperating witness; speculation is running rampant on the Coconut Telegraph that the three brothers are cooperating in upcoming investigations against other commercial fisherman. Representatives of several Federal agencies involved refused to comment on that speculation.

Three admit to illegally taking lobster, fourth defendant still missing

BY KEVIN WADLOW
kwadlow@keynoter.comJanuary 28, 2015

 A lobster-poaching investigation and legal case lasting more than five years hit its climax Monday when three Lower Keys commercial fishermen pleaded guilty in Key West federal court.

Charles Veach, 39, of Big Coppitt Key; Ryan Veach, 41, formerly of Bay Point; and Tyson Veach, 36, of Stock Island admitted taking hundreds of pounds of lobster illegally from manmade underwater habitats, exceeding daily commercial diving limits for a lobster harvest and acting to conceal the size of the harvest.

In a plea agreement reached with the South Florida U.S. Attorney's Office, the three men agreed to accept six-month prison sentences and $25,000 fines, to be recommended by prosecutors.

At sentencing May 5 in Key West, U.S. District Judge J. Lawrence King has the option of imposing up to a year in prison and $100,000 fines.

A federal agent placed an electronic tracker aboard the men's boat, the 32-foot Super Grouper, while it was docked in August 2009 at the Oceanside Marina on Stock Island.

Information from the tracker was used by state and federal officers to follow the boat to several sites where illegal underwater structures, known as casitas, were placed to attract lobster. It is illegal to take lobster from a casita.

The Super Grouper and all related equipment will be forfeited.

Last week, federal judges denied a defense motion seeking to block evidence gathered from the tracker. The judges concluded that agents had sufficient cause to believe the boat was being used to illegally harvest lobster.

Some of that information came from convicted Lower Keys lobster poacher David Dreifort, who was arrested for major lobster violations in 2008, the decision says.

A fourth fisherman charged in the Veach case -- Dennis Dallmeyer, 67, of Big Coppitt Key -- agreed in November to plead guilty to selling illegally harvested lobster on behalf of the Veaches. Dallmeyer was expected to testify in the Veaches' trial, which had been scheduled to begin Tuesday.

But he's been missing since Jan. 6. After he was reported overdue from a fishing trip, his 25-foot boat was found empty when spotted several miles south of Key West. A U.S. Coast Guard air and sea search was launched Jan. 7 but did not find any trace of the fisherman.

The search was halted days later but agents of the Coast Guard Investigative Service are keeping the case open. His boat found Jan. 13 on Elliott Key in Miami-Dade County.

"We have no idea where Mr. Dallmeyer might be but we're still in the process of looking for him," Agent Paul Shultz said Tuesday.

Florida Lobster Divers Convicted For Illegal Harvesting Activities

They were hard workers, the sons of South Florida fishmongers. 

Eventually the brothers put down the aprons. Leaving the showcases of the seafood market behind they rose to the top of their field as fishing guides and commercial fishermen. They made a good living off the sea — presumably with a healthy respect for the wonders of the ocean and nature at large.

But somewhere along the way they strayed from that path, resorting to littering the seafloor of a National Marine Sanctuary with garbage and debris in search of the almighty dollar. 

Sinking habitat to artificially gather lobster in areas where they wouldn’t normally hold up is — and was –  illegal. As is diving and harvesting lobster on it, even if it isn’t yours.

Find it they did, along with hundreds of other Keys residents that scoffed at the law and planted casitas (‘little house’ in Spanish) over the past 25 years. 

At the end of each summer, the casita cowboys would start off lobster season with a bang, earning more money in a three month period than most honest, hardworking people make in a year. Cars and boats were bought with cash; houses were paid for in a couple of years.

The Government had enough. 

They’d put the word out that they weren’t going to take it any more, but the diving continued. Then several Federal Government agencies swooped in with covert surveillance technology — including hi-tech helicopters — GPS tracking devices and undercover agents. 

Convictions and fines mounted.  Men — good men — lost good jobs. Some were fireman, others were policemen. Some lost boats and vehicles — even houses. 

But the fishmongers’ sons were smart. Ever wary, they knew they were being watched. They found GPS tracking devices on some of their boats. They were also tipped off to a black helicopter tracing their path out of their bay in the Lower Keys by an acquaintance that lived several canals over.

So, they started to lay low.

Thanks to a ruling having nothing to do with resource protection, but everything to do with half a world away, Al Qaeda, Osama Bin Laden’s couriers and the war on terror, GPS tracking information obtained without warrants was deemed inadmissible. 

They continued to lay low. Statutes of limitations were about to run out.

But then two things happened.

First, unbeknownst to the fishmongers’ sons, a Federal judge ruled that information collected by GPS trackers without warrants was valid.

Then the live lobster trade with China boomed; bringing $25 per pound or more at the dock. 

It was just too much to resist.

A Grand Jury was convened, the facts presented and a sealed indictment handed down. 

Arrests were made. One of the brothers was even in the process of leaving the Keys, on to a new life. All right before the statute of limitations had run its course.

Then the legal wrangling started. And the lawyers got rich.

One of the fishmongers’ son’s business associates who had been helping them conceal illegal sales cut a deal with the government. He was a decorated Vietnam Vet and former race car driver who had seen better days.

Hard living, bad luck and a life on the water had taken its toll. As the primary caretaker for an aged, ailing mother and with his own health issues mounting, he wasn’t about to set foot in Federal prison.

Trial dates drew near.

The key government witness went fishing a little over two weeks before the trial was scheduled to start and disappeared — never to be heard from again.

His battered old stone crab and lobster skiff, the only thing left, drifted aimlessly towards Biscayne Bay after a botched recovery attempt by professional salvors and the United States Coast Guard.

The truth, it seems, is often much stranger than fiction. You just can’t make this stuff up.

 

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Brothers Convicted For Illegal Harvesting Activities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJanuary 26, 2015

Three Florida lobster divers pled guilty for illegal harvesting activities. Additionally, a Florida corporation pled guilty for their illegal activity related to the illegal harvesting activities.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Tracy Dunn, Assistant Director, NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement, Sean Morton, Superintendent of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS), and David Pharo, Resident Agent in Charge U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Miami, made the announcement.

Charles Veach, 39, of Coppitt Key, Florida, Ryan Veach, 41, formerly of Bay Point, Florida, and Tyson Veach, 36, of Stock Island, Florida, pled guilty to the offense of knowingly transporting, selling, receiving acquiring, and purchasing lobster, when in the exercise of due care they should have known the lobster was taken, possessed, transported, and intended to be sold in violation of the laws and regulations of the State of Florida. Additionally, Super Grouper, Inc., a Florida corporation with its principal place of business in Key West, Florida, pled guilty to knowingly engaging and attempting to engage in conduct that involved the sale and purchase of, offer of sale and purchase of, and intent to sell and purchase spiny lobster, with a market value in excess of $350.00, and did knowingly transport, sell, acquire and purchase said spiny lobster in interstate commerce, knowing that said spiny lobster was taken, possessed, transported, and sold in violation of and in a manner unlawful under the laws and regulations of the State of Florida, specifically, Florida Administrative Code, Sections 68B-24.006(10).

According to the Indictment filed against the defendants, a Joint Factual Statement submitted to the Court, and statements in Court, at all relevant times Charles Veach was the president and director of Super Grouper, Inc. The corporation was the registered owner of a 32’ Invincible, center-console fishing vessel, the “Super Grouper.”

In August 2006, on the eve of the opening of commercial lobstering season in Monroe County, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service agents placed a Global Positioning System (GPS) tracker on the fishing vessel “Super Grouper.” The GPS device permitted enforcement officers to identify sites in the Gulf of Mexico where the vessel operated by C. Veach and R. Veach had lingered for significant periods of time over the following week in the FKNMS.

On August 10, 2009, C. Veach and R. Veach operated the vessel “Super Grouper” in the course of spiny lobster harvesting activities in the FKNMS. During that voyage, surveillance aircraft operated by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC), observed and videotaped them diving within the FKNMS. Special Agents of NOAA Office of Law Enforcement videotaped the return of the “Super Grouper” to the residence of C. Veach on Big Coppitt Key. The agents also videotaped five bins and one bag of spiny lobster being unloaded from the vessel, which C. Veach sold to a wholesale dealer in Key West according to trip tickets and receipts filed with the FWCC, as required by law, and retained by the dealer.

The August 10, 2009 sites, identified by the GPS tracker and surveillance, were later surveyed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Region 4 Dive Team. Artificial habitat, also known as “casitas,” were located at each site. Additionally, thorough search of the areas surrounding the sites revealed no natural habitat suitable for sheltering spiny lobster.

On August 19, 2014, NOAA Special Agents observed and photographed C. Veach and T. Veach departing Hurricane Hole Marina, Stock Island, on the “Super Grouper” and enter the FKNMS waters in the Gulf of Mexico. During that trip, Customs and Border Protection air assets observed, videotaped, and documented multiple locations at which T. Veach engaged in diving activities within the FKNMS. On their return, NOAA Special Agents photographed the landing of spiny lobster at a Stock Island commercial wholesale dealer. T. Veach was identified as one of the two occupants of the “Super Grouper” participating in the landing and subsequent sale of spiny lobster to the wholesale dealer.

On August 15, 2014, the vessel “Super Grouper” was observed in the FKNMS by Customs and Border Protection air assets who again videotaped multiple locations at which an individual deployed from the “Super Grouper” engaged in diving activities. Surveillance videos reflect the harvesting and presence in multiple locations on board the “Super Grouper” of spiny lobster. At the conclusion of the trip NOAA Special Agents witnessed the landing and sale of spiny lobster to a Stock Island commercial wholesale dealer. The occupants of the vessel included C. Veach. The spiny lobster harvested by the “Super Grouper” were sold in two transactions, to a wholesale dealer on Stock Island and a wholesale dealer in Key West for a total exceeding $3,000.

The FKNMS is a 2,800 square nautical mile area that surrounds the entire archipelago of the Florida Keys and includes the productive waters of Florida Bay, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean. The FKNMS encompasses coastal and oceanic waters, and the submerged lands thereunder, surrounding the Florida Keys, and extending westward to include the Tortugas islands, but excluding Dry Tortugas National Park.

Pursuant to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Protection Act and the National Marine Sanctuary Act, NOAA issued regulations in January 1997 to govern the conduct of activities within the sanctuary. Title 15, CFR Subsection 922.163(a)(3) prohibits any alteration of, or construction on, the seabed. Drilling into, dredging, or otherwise altering the seabed of the Sanctuary, or engaging in prop-dredging; or constructing, placing, or abandoning any structure, material, or other matter on the seabed of the Sanctuary is prohibited.

Pursuant to an agreement reached with the United States, the defendants agreed to jointly recommend a term of six months imprisonment, a $25,000 fine, and a one year term of supervised release, during which they will be barred from any involvement in lobster harvesting. Additionally, the defendants surrendered a list of all their illegal harvesting sites to the government, and are committed to removing all the sites at their own expense from federal and State waters under agent supervision. The defendants also agreed to forfeiture of the 2008 32” Invincible fishing vessel used in the offense, and its engines, tackle, and appurtenances as instrumentalities of the crimes, and surrender of their various crustacean and dive endorsements issued by the State of Florida.

C. Veach, R. Veach and T. Veach each face possible terms of imprisonment of up to one year. Additionally, they may be fined up to $100,000, ordered to make restitution to identifiable victims of the offenses, and be placed on supervised release for up to one year. The defendants are scheduled to be sentenced on May 5, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Key West Sidney M. Aronovitz Federal Courthouse by U.S. District Judge James Lawrence King.

Mr. Ferrer commended the joint investigative efforts of the Special Agents of NOAA Office of Law Enforcement, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement who led the long-term investigation into the illegal harvesting and sale of spiny lobster. Mr. Ferrer also thanked Customs and Border Protection, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service Region 4 Dive Team for their investigative efforts. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Watts-FitzGerald and Antonio Barnes.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.

Petition Against Release of GMO Mosquitos in Florida Keys

Get the word out... probably not a good idea for an environmentally sensitive area like the Florida Keys... but hey, what's the worst thing that could happen? Go here to sign the petition and tell all your friends. At presstime the petition has more than 6,000 signatures.

#frankenmosquito #floridakeysmosquitocontroldistrict #floridakeys

Let Agricultural Commissioner Adam Putnam know how you feel about releasing genetically modified mosquitos in the environmentally-sensitive Florida Keys.

FWC Meeting in Jacksonville Feb. 4-5

Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC is meeting in Jacksonville on Feb. 4-5 at the Hyatt Regency at 225 E. Coastline Dr.

Sessions on Wednesday and Thursday convene at 8:30 a.m., and the FWC invites to public to participate in speaking opportunities on a variety of subjects including: (Feb. 4) Creating a Florida Sportsmen’s Conservation Association annual award; discussions on current Florida black bear management and possible future action; increasing hunting opportunities throughout Florida and voting on establishing Deer Management Units. (Feb 5) Topics include consideration of a resolution establishing Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day; discussion of Federal marine fishery management council reports; Discussion of a draft rule setting the Gulf red snapper season for this year.

A full agenda is available by visiting MyFWC.com/Commission and selecting “Commission Meetings.” Follow live coverage on Twitter @MyFWC (https://twitter.com/MyFWC) and join in the conversation by using tag #FWC2015!

Linesiders Open Feb. 1 in Florida Atlantic Coastal Waters

From the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission:

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The recreational harvest season for snook reopens on Feb. 1 in Florida’s Atlantic coastal and inland waters (from the Miami-Dade/Monroe county line north), including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River. The season will remain open through May 31.

In the Atlantic, anglers may keep one snook per day that is not less than 28 or more than 32 inches total length, which is measured from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed while the fish is lying on its side. A snook permit is required to keep snook, along with a saltwater fishing license, unless the angler is exempt from the license requirements. Only hook-and-line gear is allowed when targeting or harvesting snook.

It is illegal to buy or sell snook.

Snook are one of the many reasons Florida is the Fishing Capital of the World. As a result, the FWC encourages anglers to use moderation when determining whether or not to take a snook home, even during the open season.

Researchers ask anglers who harvest the fish to save their filleted carcasses and provide them to the FWC by dropping them off at a participating bait and tackle store. This program allows anglers to participate in the collection of data such as the size, age, maturity and sex of Florida's premier inshore game fish, snook. For the county-by-county list, go to MyFWC.com/Research and click on “Snook Anglers Asked to Help with Research.”

The harvest of snook in all of Florida’s Gulf of Mexico state waters, including Everglades National Park and all of Monroe County, will reopen March 1. Snook harvested from the open waters of the Atlantic may not be transported through closed water or landed in the closed area. Anglers may catch and release snook during the closed season, but the FWC encourages anglers to handle and release these fish carefully to help ensure their survival upon release. Proper handling methods can help ensure the species’ abundance for anglers today and generations to come. To learn more about fish handling, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Fish Handling.”

For more information, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Snook.”

NOAA PODCAST: Getting a Better Handle On Fish Populations

When estimating fish populations, seeing is believing. Hear how adding video cameras to fish traps allows scientists to get more precise abundance estimates for several important species of reef fish here. Hopefully this will have an impact on upcoming discussions as to what to do with red snapper. Anglers from the Carolinas to Texas are unhappy with the Feds current management policy that has effectively shortened recreational seasons to days each year.

A Letter to The Key West Citizen

Editor, Key West Citizen

Gwen Filosa’s piece on the Chamber of Commerce fighting an expansion of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary’s powers is way off-base.

Firstly, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is not expanding its powers. 

It is in fact, acting well within its existing and established parameters to protect a valuable — and threatened — international treasure consisting of unique habitat, unparalleled biodiversity and cultural resources dating back to well before the days of Christopher Columbus.

Two years ago — with that goal in mind — members of the Sanctuary Advisory Council (consisting of stakeholder representatives from the recreational and commercial fishing, diving, scientific, tourism and residential communities) began revisiting the Sanctuary's current management plan and  zoning to develop new ideas for protecting our unique resource. 

This re-examination isn't unique to the FKNMS; each National Marine Sanctuary must go through the same process by law every five years. National Fish and Wildlife also has similar requirements. Although reviews have been conducted previously, this is the first comprehensive review sine FKNMS was founded and that looked at zoning and regulations.

The basis for this reboot of the existing management plan is not based in some over-reaching Government conspiracy. It is based on the science contained within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Condition Report released in 2011, which examines the status of Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary’s water quality, habitats, marine life and cultural resources. It also outlines the various threats to resource health, and highlights possible management actions taken to address those pressures. The status of sanctuary resources are rated on a scale from "good" to "poor," and are assigned a trend based on scientifically observed changes over time.

The fact is, we've done a horrible job of managing this resource and protecting it from internal impacts such as water quality (stagnant canals, lack of central sewer, stormwater runoff, cruise ships), overfishing (poaching, damage related to the illegal casitas) and over exploitation (dumping thousands of people into the same areas of the reef tract 340-plus days a year, thousands of jet ski hours per day on guided and non-guided tours.)

A majority of these activities are exactly what the Key West Chamber of Commerce wants to continue to promote. The fact of the matter is, they're not compatible with responsible stewardship of a fragile environmental resource that is quite frankly hanging on by an ever more precarious thread.

With regards to comments by Capt. Gomez, the FKNMS is not involving itself in fisheries management; although I do not agree with a proposed permanent closure of the Western Dry Rocks feature, this area is unique and needs to be protected. Any resulting action with regards to Western is the protection of a unique geographical profile occurring in only a few places in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Basin that serves as critical spawning habitat for a wide range of species including invertebrates critical to the health and survival of our coral reefs -- not just commercially- and recreationally-important finfish aka mutton snapper. 

In short, it's habitat protection -- like seagrass meadows and mangrove stands -- not fisheries regulation.

Whether or not the Honorable Mr. Rossi was in favor of the formation of the FKNMS or not is irrelevant. It is here and it is here to stay.

With regards to Commissioner Yaniz' statements, no one on the FKNMS had anything to do with banning the harvest of conch or jewfish; in fact those moratoriums were enacted prior to the existence of the FKNMS by fisheries managers based on -- you guessed it -- science. And if you read the science on nearshore water quality in the FKNMS Condition Report, you'll think twice about eating them.

Lastly, if anybody deserves credit for forcing residents and visitors fish in the mud, look no further than the Key West City Commission and the  Key West Chamber of Commerce's pro-cruise ship PAC.

Einstein said "What is right is not always popular, and what is popular is not always right." We need to start making decisions based on what's best for the resource and not what's best for the bottom line.

Capt. Ted Lund

Charter/Flats Fishing Representative  

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council

Florida Keys Resource Needs Protection Not More Political Bunkum

As many of you might know, I sit on the Sanctuary Advisory Council of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. I represent the charter fishing/flats fishing community as an alternate. Despite being an alternate, I've been heavily involved in Sanctuary goings-on for the past 5 years as a member of the council as well as on my daily outdoors radio show, Island Outdoors, which aired on WKWF-AM 1600. I've attended meetings. I've served on working groups.

During the past 2 years, members of the council have been taking part in an ongoing review of the Sanctuary's comprehensive management plan. One of the areas we've been looking at are the current zoning regulations for different habitat types throughout the Sanctuary boundaries to determine if they are sufficient to protect the resource.

This didn't happen yesterday, and it didn't happen in private. All of the discussions were part of advertised meetings which stakeholders were invited to participate in -- ad nasueum.

But low and behold, no one on the outside really got involved until we started drawing lines on a map. And they came out in droves. Unfortunately, no one bothered to read the Condition Report 2011, the science on which our recommendations are based. You can read it here, but I have to warn you, it's pretty depressing.

Apparently -- at least according to hundreds of scientists that have dedicated hundreds of thousands of man-hours to all facets of research with in the Sanctuary -- we as a general population haven't done a very good job as stewards of this international ecological treasure.

In fact, all everybody seems to be worried about is whether or not they'll be able to continue to fish the same area they've fished for the last 30 years (Western Dry Rocks, which happens to be one of the few mass spawning sites in the Atlantic and Caribbean basins for a wide-range of fish and invertebrate species important to the health of our coral reefs) and beat it into submission.

Or whether or not they'll be able to continue running their 15-vessel jetski tours through the backcountry.

Or if they'll still be able to put hundreds of sunscreen-slathered tourists in the water at the same spot on the reef tract -- to stand on the coral and pee in the water -- day after day.

At least that's what the Key West Chamber of Commerce and the City of Key West are about to send. 

Last week, the Key West Chamber of Commerce drafted a resolution in support of no further expansion of protected areas within the FKNMS, in support of the Key West Charterboat Association, led by Capt. Rich Gomez. 

Gomez' group keeps harping on the concept that the FKNMS is involving itself in fisheries management and that this is an over-reaching act by the Sanctuary authorities.

So now, the City Commission has gotten involved and asked City Attorney Shawn Smith to draft a resolution supporting the Chamber of Commerce's position.

The problem is that the goals of commerce and conservation -- unfortunately -- don't mesh. 

I'll be posting a letter to the editor for the Key West Citizen a little later today. There is a lot of disinformation being spread out there by Gomez, CoC director Virginia Panico and City Commissioners Mark Rossi and Tony Yaniz.

Why, you might ask, is this your problem?

The Florida Keys reef and all its inhabitants belong to you, your kids and their kids. It doesn't matter if you are from Key West, Key Largo or Anchorage, Alaska.

But one thing is for certain; people that have a direct financial conflict of interest tied to overuse of the resource and beating it into submission shouldn't be making the decisions.

If we don't take action now to protect what's left, we might as well not worry about any of it. Beat it into the ground. Dredge, baby dredge.

The time has come to make decisions based on what's right for the resource, not what's right for the bottom line of a select few.

Fishing Stereotypes... Which one are you?

From the guys over at Dudeperfect... here's a rundown of stereotypes in the fishing world. Pretty funny. They have a bunch of other funny stuff there as well... take a look.

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SBI Settles Case in Powerboat Fatality

Attorneys for Page Motor Sports throttleman Joey Gratton's family settled their lawsuit today against Super Boats International, based in Key West. Gratton was killed in a spectacular powerboat wreck in the 2011 SBI World Championships. Terms of the settlement were undisclosed and SBI has yet to comment on the litigation. Another suit is pending in the death of SBI racer, Jeffery Tillman who perished in a second fatal accident that year. For full details, read the story here.

3D Fly Reel Test

Joe Cermele at Field and Stream conducted what he believes to be the first test of a 3D-printed fly reel. I still don't totally grasp the idea or science behind 3D printing, but I do know that a number of manufacturers are prototyping new equipment using this technology. To learn more, visit Cermele's blog over at Field and Stream.

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CCA Fights Gillnets in North Carolina

While we await court rulings on Florida's long-existing net ban, CCA is leading the fight against this indiscriminate method of commercial harvest in North Carolina. It's hard to believe that NC is the last state to limit or ban gillnets.

Amendment Three of the Florida Constitution, otherwise known as the net ban, was approved by voter referendum in November 1994. The amendment made unlawful the use of entangling nets (i.e., gill and trammel nets) in Florida waters. The use of other forms of nets, such as seines, cast nets, and trawls, was restricted, but not totally eliminated. These types of nets could be used only if the total area of net mesh did not exceed 500 square feet. The amendment was implemented in July 1995, and represented the culmination — but not the end — of a lengthy debate between commercial fishers and environmental/recreational advocacy groups regarding the harvesting of Florida's nearshore finfish resources.

I firmly believe that if we hadn't taken that action in 1994, we wouldn't have A recreational fishery left in Florida waters, and certainly nothing left in the Banana and Indian River lagoons.

CCA has produced this fascinating video that gives you some real insight into this destructive method of fishing.

To get involved visit joincca.org.

Plano Field Cases... Not Just for Guns Anymore...

Several years ago, when I had the chance to travel to the Coral Sea with Hal Chittum of Hell's Bay Boat and Chittum Skiff fame, I was looking for an all-inclusive solution to the problem of transporting a quiver of fly rods and reels sans tubes and bulky bags. The answer came in the form of a Pelican-brand gun case. Now Plano is jumping in the mix with its new field case. A long-time leader in tackle storage systems, this is another example of a gun case that can make the crossover. By cutting out spaces for your reels, you can then store a number of rods in their bags on top. There's also plenty of room for fly boxes like Cliff's Bugger Box, so you really do have an all-in-one solution -- with wheels.

Plano's versions range from $89 to $300 MSRP, and are available from a 19.343x14.892x8.937-inch version perfect for a camera set up or dedicated reel box to the 52.14x13x6.75-inch case that will hold more fly rods than you'll likely ever own. For more info check them out here.

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Plano, IL (January 19, 2015) – In the jurisdiction of firearms and firearms storage, the most exacting of users are in law enforcement and the military – and justly so. Anything less than the best is unacceptable when lives and security are at stake. Product failure is intolerable; potentially dangerous, actually. And this is precisely why Plano doesn’t take the title of being ‘Mil-Spec’ lightly.

Demonstrating this commitment to integrity, Plano proudly introduces the Field Locker™ Mil-Spec Case series; instantly considered the finest firearms cases ever engineered. The robust series comes in five sizes and configurations, protecting valuable arms from pistols to long-guns and tactical weapons.

 Precise measurements are first and foremost to being considered law enforcement and military grade. Each Field Locker Mil-Spec Case is carefully sized to fit and protect the firearms within, and can be trusted to exactly measure its stated specifications.   

 From there, it’s a checklist of quality componentry and vital features. Each case is formed using Plano’s inimitable molding process, which yields a reinforced shell that’s up to any task it’s assigned, from long and rugged travel to exposure to the elements.

Mil-Spec is a claim that Plano doesn’t make lightly or casually.  Each of these five cases have been certified by an accredited test facility as meeting military specifications for immersion, dust, vibration and transit drop per MIL-STD-810G. 

All Field Locker Mil-Spec Cases are watertight and dustproof. Secure sealing with premium Dry-Loc gaskets coupled with exact measurements insure that the contents won’t be adversely affected by water or dirty environments. This pledge to protection against environmental factors is advanced with the case’s Pressure Release Valve, which equalizes pressure divergence caused by altitude or temperature.

Military and law enforcement grade amenities continue. Over molded Heavy Duty Handles defy breakage while reducing fatigue to your hand on the move. Reinforced padlock gates tell would-be thieves to choose another victim; most padlocks fold flat, too. Each draw-down latch is built for durability and positioned with expert knowledge of what will be guarded on the inside, keeping those contents safe and secure. 

Internally, each Field Locker Mil-Spec Case features double-density foam. Fully customizable, the foam layers can be configured to go hand-in-glove with your particular firearm.

And long-gun and tactical firearm carriers will be especially pleased by the final element of forethought that went into designing the three largest Field Locker Mil-Spec Gun cases. Each sports a pair of easy-glide enclosed ball bearing wheels to make the cases incredibly mobile and perfect for traveling.  ​

Choosing the Right Fender

Here's an example of my work in Boating magazine that just got put up on the web. If you've got questions about what type of fender is right for you, check it out!

http://www.boatingmag.com/gear/pick-right-fender?src=soc&dom=fb

On Catch Shares and Privatizing Our Oceans

Here's an interesting piece from US News and World Reports on a movement to prevent catch shares from putting our oceans off limits. In short, transferable catch shares have had the opposite effect from what was intended. Rather than protecting small-scale commercial fishermen, many of the shares have been bought by companies like Walmart, to guarantee access and flow of seafood to their shelves. Worth a look. Also, if you get a chance, pick up a copy of Four Fish. It's a compelling read. 

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/economic-intelligence/2015/01/16/dont-privatize-the-ocean-find-a-better-way-to-fish.

Carp Hunters Carpe Diem

Excuse the pun. But this is great. This is one of the funniest things I've seen on the internet recently. This is just a taste with the trailer from Peoria Carp Hunters... I'll share more as I find it.

For those that aren't aware, Asian carp (flying carp, silver carp, etc.) are an invasive species taking over the Midwest and threatening the Great Lakes. They're known for leaping in the air when you run through schools of them with a boat... And Peoria Carp Hunters have made the most of this unique trait. 

Courtesy Peoria Carp Hunters on YouTube. 

Remembering The Varmint

Key West International Airport is right out of the scenes from the hit TV show wings. Full of color and characters. One of those characters at EYW I was lucky enough to call a friend... Freddy Cabanas. He was absolutely insane. They certainly broke the mold when he popped out. Here's a nice rememberence of him from: 

http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2013/January/16/Remembering-aviation-great-Fred-Cabanas. 

Costa Del Mar Relaunches Cutting Edge Eco-Blog

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Costa Del Mar, one of the world's leading manufacturers of outdoor-sports specific, hi-performance specialty eyewear has teamed up with nine different leading conservation organizations including The Billfish Foundation (TBF), Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP), International Game Fish Association (IGFA), Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), Trout Unlimited (TU) andBonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT) to relaunch The Watery Rave.

Watery Rave is going to act as non-partisan aggregator of news items from around the world to help promote the partners and hi-light their world-wide conservation efforts. Costa hopes the site will become a voluminous provider of information for anglers and outdoorsmen and women the world over. To read more about it, go here or visit The Watery Rave.