Tag Archives: Florida Net Ban

25 years after the Florida net ban – “When they take your gear from you and they tell you that you can’t fish,,,

Generational islander Rhonda Dooley has a burning desire that no one forget the Florida net ban. She says many people still don’t realize what it was really about, and how it continues to affect the island and the families who made their living on the water. “When they take your gear from you and they tell you that you can’t fish,,, She said commercial fishermen are food producers. “There were over 300 fishing families on the island back in the day,” she said, referring to life before the net ban. “Everyone had their hand in fishing — that was all they did and all they talked about.” >click to read< 13:04

Florida Net ban turns 20 on July 1, but was it a success?

Twenty years ago Wednesday, , one of the most controversial conservation measures in the state’s history. The ban devastated livelihoods and what remained of a once-vibrant commercial fishing culture in small coastal towns throughout Florida. Two decades later, opinions align along the same battle lines that fueled a bitter campaign surrounding the ban. And since the data are either incomplete or a mixed bag, scientists still can’t offer much insight into which side was right. Read the rest here 18:12

Florida Net Ban: Florida’s ban on net fishing near shore debated again

“We would like the opportunity to harvest Spanish mackerel, pompano and mullet in state waters,” Kelly said. “We’d like to see the use of gill nets with the appropriate mesh size for the appropriate targets.” “We will spend every penny necessary to protect the constitutional ban on gill netting,” CCA Florida chairman Jim Williams said. [email protected] 11:50