Resolution 157-1987
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Commissioner Gene Lytton
RESOLUTION NO. 157 -1987
A RESOLUTION URGING THAT THE FLORIDA MARINE
FISHERIES COMMISSION CONTINUE TO ALLOW THE
USE OF SPINY LOBSTER SHORTS AS ATTRACTANTS IN
TRAPS.
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 caught in the United States with
an annual income to Monroe County of approximately 14 million
dollars, and
WHEREAS, Florida Department of Natural Resources 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 attract-
ants, 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:
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.
That the Florida Marine Fisheries Commission be requested to
allow the continued utilization of "SHORTS" as practiced with the
proper use of live wells to care for "SHORTS" used as attract-
ants.
The Florida Department of Natural Resources, Florida Sea
Grant, Marine Fisheries Commission, Fishery Management Council,
and other research management agencies develop a coordinated and
funded full scale research of this resource in coordination with
the industry.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Monroe County, Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held
on the 7th day of April, A.D. 1987.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
(Seal)
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Attest :DANNY L. KOLHAGE, Clerk
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