Okaloosa County BOCC — May 20, 2014 — Resolution_Development of Fishery Managment Plan — reading text

RESOLUTION 14-_____________ RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW FISHERY MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR RECREATIONAL ANGLERS TO HELP INCREASE ACCESS TO REBUILDING FISHERIES; SUPPORTING A NEW DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM FOR RECREATIONAL FISHERIES, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the fishing industry is vital to the economy of Okaloosa County and the surrounding areas on the Gulf Coast and is an essential component of tourism; and WHEREAS, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Gulf of Mexico Fishing Management Council and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have the responsibility of establishing a management system or plan to maintaining and preserving the fishing industries in the Gulf; and WHEREAS, the present federal management systems for the control of over fishing of annual allocations has not been effective in management of fishery within the Gulf of Mexico; and WHEREAS, the present federal management system is inadequate as it can not determine harvest levels in a timely manner; and WHEREAS, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Gulf of Mexico Fishing Management Council and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are actively involved in the monitoring and review of the current fisheries management plan and evaluating its effectiveness; and  WHEREAS, to address the deficiencies of the current fisheries management plan, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Gulf of Mexico Fishing Management Council and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission should develop a new fishery management plan for the management of recreational anglers that will work increase access to rebuilding fisheries. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS: 1. The Board requests and supports the action by the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Gulf of Mexico Fishing Management Council and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to develop a fishery management plan for recreational anglers that can effectively manage and provide increase access to rebuilding fisheries. 2. As part of this new fishery management plant, the Board requests and encourages the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Gulf of Mexico Fishing Management Council and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to incorporate a new data collection system which will provide an accountable, time critical and accurate way to determine harvest effort and harvest levels in recreational fisheries. 3. Consistent with these efforts, the Board encourages the Gulf of Mexico Fishing Management Council to continue with the modifications to the current fishery management plan, including those changes contained in proposed Amendment 40, which begins to address the unique needs of the private recreational sector and the Charter for Hire recreational sectors. 4. This Resolution shall become effective upon adoption. 2  DULY ADOPTED THIS _____ DAY OF __________________, 2014. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA (SEAL) By: Chairman ATTEST: By: Don Howard, Clerk 3