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Heywood
Moderator
257 Posts |
 Posted - 05/08/2007 : 1:37:30 PM
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Response I recieved today from Frank Sargeant
"Bill: There is, in fact, a proposal to make at least all of Little Cockroach a "Pole & Troll" zone, and perhaps more of the South Shore flats, as well. Here's a clip of the details of the next meeting, plus contact info:
The Agency for Bay Management will hold a public meeting May 10 to review further boating restrictions in Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve. Among the proposals are a plan to make large portions of the waters inside the barrier islands "pole and troll" zones where no outboard motor operation would be allowed. Anglers who wish to comment on the proposals can attend the meeting, which begins at 9 a.m. at the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, 4000 Gateway Centre Blvd, Building 100, Pinellas Park. Call (727) 570-5151 or visit www.tbrpc.org/abm for details."
  
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Edited by - Heywood on 05/11/2007 10:29:43 AM |
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Heywood
Moderator
257 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2007 : 10:30:06 AM
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Agency on Bay Management Meeting
05/10/07
Habitat Restoration Recap
- As of March 31st, no more discharge from Piney Point
- No raises for FWC officers this year, they only got a $1000 bonus. I found this to be very disturbing, they are already very short handed and with no raise many will be leaving for higher paying jobs.
Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve – The Potential for Additional Protection
Several spoke on this subject, I’ll give a brief outline of what they spoke about.
- Nicholas Ehringer – Professor with HCC. He has done past studies on the prop scars in the preserve and he has been down there in the past few months. The prop scars have dramatically increased from the county line all the way to the Little Manatee River. He also mentioned the fact that he thought the outer sand bar was disappearing. I’m not quite sure about that, go out there on a low tide and you can see it plane and clear.
- Randy Runnels - Aquatic Preserve Manager. He gave an over view of the preserve
and did not offer any more information on the prop scars. He did mention
something I did not know. The property that the preserve is on is owned by the
Tampa Bay Port Authority.
- Tom Ash – EPCHC (I believe he was with the EPC) He gave a short presentation on all
The violations of the Idle Only Zone, including pictures from the past week. He also showed slides from 2006 of the prop scars, some measuring over 300 yards long. What I saw was very disturbing. During this, a discussing was brought up about the 17 permits issued to guides and commercial fisherman allowing them to run on plane in this zone. Everyone in attendance, including one very well known guide was in strong opposition of these permits. A motion was made to forward a letter to the county commissioners to over turn these permits and not to issue anymore. The motion was seconded. What I didn’t know about these permits is that they were brought about by county ordnance which can be over turned with enough public support. (At least that’s they way I understood it).
He also mentioned that the EPC will have a public meeting on May 31st at the South Shore Regional Library, 15816 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin to discuss the Sea Grass Management Plan. At this meeting you have the opportunity to be heard by those that will developing the rules that govern the last bit of unspoiled shore line in Tampa Bay, so if you want to be heard I would suggest you attend.
- Gus Muench – Former Commercial Fisherman from Ruskin. He proposed making this
- The area from the Little Manatee River all the way down to the county line a marine sanctuary. This would require Federal monies and support. I’m not quite sure if this will happen, it would be a very drawn out process and making it a federal sanctuary might make matters worse. I’m not all that familiar with these areas, but I do know of one down in the Keys that you cannot fish or boat in.
I also found out that there were two bills that would establish penalties for prop scarring (SB 548 and HB 1069) they both did not pass. Evidentially it would have been very hard to enforce.
There was another guide that was supposed to speak, but he did not show up. There was one guide, two recreational fisherman at the meeting. No one from the press that I recognized (Frank Sargeant) I thought more might show up.
This was my first venture into these kinds of meetings and it was very interesting. I came away with several observations: Law enforcement is extremely lacking, but that’s not the FWC’s fault. They are undermanned and over worked, between escorting ships through the bay, going to court, training and everything else that comes up for them, they simply did not have the manpower to cover the areas they need to. The permits allowing holders to run on plane in the idle only zone needs to be repealed and I believe the ball is rolling on this. There will be changes coming to the south shore, at this point it’s just a matter of planning and approval.
Well, there it is.
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shallowrider
Junior Member
91 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2007 : 10:40:56 AM
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| Thanks Heywood for taking time to go to the meeting.It would be great for this area to turn into a no motor zone. |
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Shep
Junior Member
USA
82 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2007 : 10:45:36 AM
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I don't know the area, but I do agree that if boats are tearing up this area, something should be done before it's shut down completley. I just can't figure out why permits to run at plane are issued. It's a idle zone to keep the area from getting torn up, not to inconvienience people.
Yakfisher in training
05 Polaris sportsman 600 for sale. $4500 obo Ask for all the details and extras. |
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BigFishBobby
Administrator
355 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2007 : 10:50:59 AM
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| I agree as well. The answer is not to shut the area down to everyone. Pole and troll in that area would be great for the fishing and the surrounding flats in general. |
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Pole and Troll Zones in Lil Cockroach ***UPDATE***
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