Resolution 791-1989
F'lF-n.. -.,"
I ." ,
ii,' f' ()P i',
"89 DEe 26 A 9 :30
Commissioner Michael Puto
D.'.i,
Li.
MONROt. "
RESOLUTION NO. 791 -1989
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMIS-
SIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING
VARIOUS REASONABLE MEASURES FOR PROTECTING
SPINY LOBSTERS, wlIILE REJECTING THE USE OF
MANDATORY "ESCAPE GAPS" IN LOBSTER TRAPS, AS
UNNECESSARY AND UNWISE GIVEN ITS POTENTIALLY
SEVERE NEGATIVE ECONOMIC IMPACT.
WHEREAS, commercial fishing is the second largest producer
of revenue in Monroe County; and
WHEREAS, the commercial fishermen of Monroe County produce
80-90% of all the spiny lobster (also known as crawfish) caught
in the United States, with an annual income to Monroe County of
approximately 20 million dollars; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Department of Natural Resources' own
sponsored research data, confirms that a lobster trap with no
undersize lobster inside catches only one third the number of
lobsters as a trap where three or more undersize lobsters are
used as attractants; and
WHEREAS, with the mandatory use of live wells for the short
term retention of "shorts" for use as attractants, has drastical-
ly reduced their exposure mortality rate; and
WHEREAS, our commercial fishermen are prepared to sponsor
numerous changes to protect the resource, such as eliminating
tail measuring, trap number limitation, designation of the
species as "restricted," and increased fines for violations of
State regulations; and
WHEREAS, carapace only measuring, by those persons who do
not have a federal "tailing" permit, will reduce the number of
"small" crawfish brought ashore; and
WHEREAS, the above "small" crawfish currently represents
approximately 10% of the total catch; and
WHEREAS, the reduction in trap number per person to 2000
units, has also added to the reduction of the overall harvest;
and
WHEREAS, the designation of the "spiny lobster" as a "re-
stricted" species, would reduce the total number of traps and
help insure that a greater percentage of those doing the harvest-
ing are professionals whose livelihood depends on the continued
health and viability of the species; and
WHEREAS, trappers and divers could be limited to lobstering
only in daylight hours; and
WHEREAS, our commercial fishermen would support making the
mere possession of "shorts" (other than live attractants) ille-
gal, including any imports, which should also be required to meet
State standards; and
WHEREAS, while the current attempt to compel these spiny
lobster fishermen to use so called "Escape Gaps" would reduce the
mortality of shorts, it would do so in a manner less efficiently
than the above methods, while causing a severe negative economic
impact both on the lobster industry and other related segments of
our community; and
WHEREAS, any attempt to compel these spiny lobster fishermen
to build any form of a so called "Escape Gap" into their traps
will cause a severe negative economic impact on the lobster
industry and other segments of our community related to the
industry; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA,
Section 1. That the Florida Marine Fisheries Commission
be requested to exclude the requirement for the use of any form
of "Escape Gap" from the new spiny lobster rule.
Section 2. That the Florida Marine Fisheries Commission
be requested to allow the continued utilization of "Shorts" in
conjunction with the proper use of live wells, which will limit
the mortality of those "Shorts" which are used as attractants.
Section 3. That the Florida Marine Fisheries Commission
mandate that only "industry approved" methods of trap reduction
be implemented.
Section 4. That the Florida Department of Natural
Resources should coordinate their research into this resource
2
along with other ongoing research proj ects such as the East
Carolina University's "Limited Access Study."
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Monroe County, Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held
on the
13th day of
December
1989.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
BY:ok~
Mayor a~rman
(SEAL)
Attest: DANN);: La ~OLHAGEJ ~~erk
.a4~1AJ/
BY
3