Fishermen to protest — by land and by sea

They’ve had enough and area fisherman are speaking out against federal regulations that have locked down  fisheries.

At 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2, fishermen will be gathering at the corner of U.S. 98 and Perry Avenue in Fort Walton Beach for a peaceful protest “against fish closures in general,” said Capt. Greg Marler. The corner, which has become a magnet for vagrants, is well-traveled by passing motorists.

“We need a good showing,” Marler said. He is asking for all recreational fisherman — private and charter — to come out and stand with them along the highway and bring a sign if possible.

The fishermen are protesting a recent mandate sent down by the National Marine Fisheries Service which shut down the greater amberjack fishery to recreational anglers in federal waters. Earlier this year in August, the red snapper fishery was closed.

Next weekend, Saturday, Nov. 7 the Destin Charter Boat Association will be holding a flotilla in the harbor from 10 a.m. until noon followed by a rally back at the Fisherman’s Co-Op, according to Capt. Mike Eller.

“There will be banners on all the boats” in protest of the closures, Eller said.
The charter boat association is asking, again that all recreational fishermen, including private boat captains, join them in this effort.

“We’re calling it a ‘Rally for Recreational Anglers,’ ” Eller said.

What the fishermen really need, according to Eller, is “help from our congressmen.”

The change has got to start with them, he said.

“It falls directly on our congressmen,” Eller said.