President's Message Videos

Please take a moment to view the 3 videos produced by New Image Media, Inc. featuring the President of the Gulf Fishermen's Association, Glen Brooks, as he explains more about what the Gulf Fishermen's Association is about, who they are involved with, and who they partner with to ensure a sustainable fishery for commercial fishermen between Texas and Florida.

Open Ocean Farming

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and the National Marine Fisheries Service are federal bodies that make decisions about fishing in U.S. waters. Right now they are finishing a plan to allow the growing of fish in huge floating cages out in our Gulf waters. This is called “ocean fish farming," “open ocean aquaculture,” or “offshore aquaculture.” Whatever the name, it could cause serious problems. Fortunately, we have a chance to stop a bad plan. Public hearings will be held in Key West on July 21 at 5:30 at the Radisson Hotel (3820 Roosevelt Blvd) and in Key Largo on August 13 or 14 (exact date to be announced) at the Hilton Key Largo (9700 S. Overseas Highway). Visit www.foodandwaterwatch.org/fish/floridakeys or call Christina at (202) 682- 2495 for more information.

Glen Brooks
President
Gulf Fishermen’s Assoc.

Ignorance, misinformation, or outright propaganda?

Click here to download the letter from GFA member Ed Small addressed Georgia Aquarium regarding the ignorance, misinformation, or outright propaganda about Grouper and Red Snapper.

Glen Brooks
President
Gulf Fishermen’s Assoc.

CCA Letter Misleading on Grouper Fishery

The Coastal Conservation Association (CCA), a recreational organization, recently provided information on the commercial grouper fishery that was misleading. I have clarified their comments with real data and addressed their comments on the grouper IFQ program and commercial grouper regulations. Cick here to download the letter with my comments.

Glen Brooks
President
Gulf Fishermen’s Assoc.

Open access or individual transferable quota’s

Science has determined that gag grouper is being over fished; NMFS will be putting hard tacs on gags and cutting the quota up to 45%.

What this means to you is a possible seven month closure in 2009, A hard tac on gags will work much the same way it does on red grouper, when we reach the quota on gag grouper it will trigger a closure for the shallow water grouper.

A meeting with Roy Crabtree at NMFS Nov. 8 2007 to discuss these matters and talk of possible solutions revealed our worse fears, with hard tacs looming over our heads in 2009 on gags and if we catch gags at the same rate we caught them in 2006,we will reach the quota by the end of May, which will trigger a closure for shallow water grouper. As most fishermen know deepwater grouper has been shutting down in June.

ITQ’s are the only sensible way to go to ensure a year round fishery. Here is how they would work, whether you are allocated gag and red grouper shares or if you have to lease them from somebody as long as you don’t use all of one or the other up you will be able to harvest your fish without fear of somebody else beating you to your share of the quota.

We have to find ways to have an ITQ in place by 2009. We are working hard to try and achieve it by 2009 and need your help.

A few fishermen targeting gags could fill the quota and trigger a closure for the whole Gulf of Mexico, that can’t happen with an ITQ.

With an ITQ you are in control of your own quota!!

If you have any questions on ITQ’s or any other fishery matters feel free to email or call.

Glen Brooks
President
Gulf Fishermen’s Assoc.

Tighter Security on the Waterways

The Department of Homeland Security  recently placed more responsibility on the US Coast Guard to secure all waterways and ports against terrorist activity. 
The USCG has informed the boating industry of several issues that are of concern so that interested parties can participate in open hearings this spring and summer. 
Issues include:

• Universal licensing
• Requiring transponders on boats
• Restricting pleasure crafts to certain channels of navigation
• Designated restricted areas near ships

The Gulf Fisherman's Association urges you to take part in these discussions and to make your concerns heard.  Get involved in the hearings this spring and smmer in order to protect your industry, your security, and your interests.

March 2, 2007

ATTENTION...ATTENTION...ATTENTION

Dear Fellow American and Gulf Reef Fisherman,

Meeting with Dr Roy Crabtree, and his staff, Boatracs reps, Thrane&Thrane reps, Nature Coast electroncs, Sigma electronics, Gulf Fishermen's Assoc, and Sofa resulted in a 60-day delay in implementation date on vms's.

The reason for the 60 days was the delay in getting the vms units & the delay in getting them installed, it takes several weeks to get some of the units and scheduling an installation may take a couple weeks. If you have not ordered your vms unit yet we urge you to do so to comply with the law. If you order now it may still take several weeks to receive it, there is another unit approved as of Feb 27 called the Watchdog. Check with your electronics dealer for specs.

Though we have an ongoing lawsuit we are still obliged to comply with the law, if we prevail in court you can turn it off or use it for personal use such as email communication.

Our attorney Mike Mastry is very pleased with the way the case is going and expects it to go to court in the near future.

Gulf Fishermen's Assoc. would also like to thank Dr. Roy Crabtree and his staff for taking the time to see all of us on Feb 27 and giving us the opportunity to voice our concerns to complying with the March 7 deadline, Roy Crabtree and staff worked very quickly to get the fishermen another 60 days.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to call any board member, our contact info is on our web site.

Glen Brooks, President, GFA
941-920-7302
brooks3glen@yahoo.com

October 16, 2006

Read letter on GFA's current battle with Law 18A
and the mandatory VMS units:

Dear Fellow American and Gulf Reef Fisherman,

I would like to introduce our organization to you. Gulf Fishermen's Association (GFA) is a Florida, not-for-profit corporation dedicated to ensuring the fishing future for all fishermen. GFA is made up of primarily commercial fishermen who are concerned about their industry and their future.

The reason for this letter is to inform you of a new law being implemented that will negatively impact all Gulf of Mexico Reef Permit holders. The United States Department of Commerce, through NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), has established a new rule which goes into effect on December 7, 2006. That rule is known as 18A and will be implemented, administered and enforced by the Southeast Office of Law Enforcement.

The rule requires ALL vessels holding a Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Permit to purchase, install, activate and maintain a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS.) The government is currently reviewing different VMS models but thus far the only approved units cost $3500. In addition there will be installation fees and monthly monitoring fees associated with these devices. Again, these VMS units MUST be installed and activated on ALL vessels that carry a Gulf Reef Fish Permit. In simple terms, the unit will basically allow the government to know where your boat is at every moment - that's twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year. This holds true whether the boat is in port, underway, fishing or stored at dry dock. Your permit will not be renewed if you do not have proof that you have a vessel monitoring system.

Aside from the financial costs associated with these units, there is also the privacy issue. VMS data transmissions will track where you have been fishing and for how long. Is it fair for the government to have that information? Can the government be trusted to protect your privacy? This is a major concern. Fishermen work years to learn the Gulf's bottom. And everyone knows that the government has not always successfully protected such proprietary information.

This invasion into our lives is scheduled to go into effect on December 7, 2006. It brings to mind another invasion that occurred the same day in 1941. The Gulf Fishermen's Association does not want this rule to go into effect. We feel that it goes beyond what is reasonable for our country to ask of us. Therefore, Gulf Fishermen's Association is challenging the rule. An injunction has been filed by our attorney Mike Mastry. We are asking all permit holders to donate $200 or whatever they can afford to help with this challenge. We also urge you to join GFA to keep yourself informed about the current regulatory environment. GFA sends a representative to almost all state and federal meetings and your input would be appreciated.

Finally, a little about our history. GFA was instrumental in the adoption of the current 6000-pound trip limit. Our goal was to ensure a year-round fishery which we believe has been achieved. In addition, the reduced trip limit has resulted in a more stable market price. We are proud to have been a part of something that is helping to strengthen our industry. Some of the current issues other than VMS we have been dealing with include reviewing Individual Fishing Quotas (IFQs) and quota reallocation.

If you would like to join GFA, the dues are 1% of your gross sales per trip. It's a small price to pay to help ensure a fishing future for all of us.

I am available by telephone, mail or e-mail as noted above. A list of our board members and their contact information is below. They too are available to discuss these issues. Thank you for your interest and support.

Sincerely,
Glen Brooks
brooks3glen@yahoo.com