Public Policy Alert - Proposed Ban on Spearfishing in Southeast Florida

PRIORITY: TIME CRITICAL

Your comments on a Proposed Ban on Spearfishing in Southeast Florida While Using Scuba are URGENTLY NEEDED.

DEMA requests all members of the Florida diving community submit written comments to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection BEFORE FEBRUARY 16, 2016 on a proposed ban on spear fishing while using scuba in the SE Florida counties of Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Martin.

DEMA is concerned that this ban is being proposed WITHOUT scientific data that indicate such a ban is warranted.  Further, DEMA is concerned that these proposed restrictions are aimed solely at DIVING, and EXCLUDE RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL FISHING, both of which have a much greater impact on fish populations than spearfishing while on scuba.

DEMA FAVORS CONSERVATION REGULATIONS WHICH IMPACT ALL SECTORS

WHEN SCIENCE INDICATES SUCH REGULATIONS ARE WARRANTED.

It is important to note that DEMA supports conservation of fish species when scientific research indicates the need to do so.  However, we also believe that when science calls for such harvest restrictions, ALL means of harvest should be subject to those restrictions, including recreational fishing and commercial fishing.  This proposed ban is focused SOLELY on spear fishing while using scuba, and excludes any mention of limitations on hook-and-line recreational fishing or commercial fishing.

THE FOLLOWING ARE DEMA’S CONCERNS WITH THESE RECOMMENDED MANAGEMENT ACTIONS:

1.      THIS ACTION IS BEING PROPOSED WITHOUT SCIENTIFIC DATA TO SUPPORT SUCH A BAN.  Although theRecommended Management Action  (RMA) cites many publications to support its proposal for banning spearfishing on scuba, the RMA also acknowledges that there are “Information Gaps.”  Specifically the RMA states that, “The relative number of fish taken by spear versus angling is unknown, as is the total magnitude of fish taken by spear.  It is a cryptic fishery.”

2.      ANY BAN ON SPEAR FISHING MUST ALSO INCLUDE SIMILAR RESTRICTIONS ON COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL FISHING.  Florida already has many fishing regulations in place which regulate seasonality as well as size and quantity limits, which appropriately impact all forms of fishing; commercial fishing, recreational fishing AND spearfishing.  Absent ANY DATA that specifically points to spearfishing as having a greater impact on supposedly “highly targeted species,” DEMA contends that these current limits and laws are adequate to prevent any “targeting of commercially valuable and ecologically important ‘trophy’ fish.”  Further, if additional regulations are needed for spearfishing on scuba, surely these same restrictions are warranted for ALL forms of extraction, including commercial fishing and hook-and-line recreational fishing.

FOR THE REASONS STATED, DEMA OPPOSES THIS PROPOSED BAN.  Should such a ban be enacted, there is significant risk that similar bans could be proposed in other Florida counties.  It is therefore important for ALL Florida dive businesses to participate in this comment period.

Our Florida Reefs will hold a series of community meetings around South Florida between now and February 17 to discuss this and other proposed regulations.  DEMA urges members of the diving community to attend these meetings and voice your opposition to this proposed ban, which unfairly singles out the diving community.  Two meetings will be held on each of the scheduled days, the first from noon to 2 p.m. and the second from 6 to 8 p.m. Meetings are being held in Broward, Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Delray, and Fort Lauderdale. 

DEMA STRONGLY URGES ALL FLORIDA DIVERS AND ALL FLORIDA DIVE PROFESSIONALS TO SUBMIT THEIR WRITTEN COMMENTS ON THIS PROPOSED BAN HERE. Written comments will carry more weight than comments made during the scheduled meetings. 

Your written comments should include:

·        Your business location.

·        The amount of revenue generated by this activity and the losses if this ban is put into place.

·        Emphasis about the lack of data to support such a highly focused ban on this activity.

·        Concerns about singling out spear fishing on scuba without consideration for similar limitations being placed on commercial and recreational fishing.

Finally, OFR is also proposing many other actions that will impact the diving business in Florida.  With theseadditional proposals already under consideration, please be prepared to comment on them in writing and during face-to-face meetings.  For example, a proposal is being made to change the limits on the number of lobster taken during Florida lobster mini-season.  In this instance, be prepared to provide comments on the number of divers coming to your business to participate in this activity.

DEMA Board of Directors to Determine the Association’s Goals for 2016

** DEMA Board of Directors to Meet on February 11th and 12th in San Diego, CA**

DEMA’s Board of Directors will meet on February 11th and 12th to strategize the Association’s tasks and goals over the upcoming year that will help grow the Industry and provide added value for DEMA Members. Topics for discussion will include DEMA public policy procedures, consumer research initiatives, the consumerGoDiveNow campaign, 2016 budget review and Committee planning.

Day one of the Board meeting will begin with the election of Board Officers from among the current Board Members. With officers in place for the year, the Board will approve reports from past and completed activities as part of the “consent agenda.”  For February, the consent agenda will include:

• November 2015 Board Meeting Minutes
• Committee-Approved DEMA Show Exhibit Space Policies
• Post DEMA Show 2015 Summary
• 2015 Year-End Membership Update
• 2015 Year-End Financial Summary and Manufacturer’s Fund Report
• Investment and Operational Reserve Report

Following approval of the consent agenda, the Board will review proposed tasks and goals for 2016 including:GoDiveNow, DEMA’s new consumer marketing campaign; consumer research initiatives for 2016; a data collection and recognition program for U.S. retailers; proposed public policy procedures; goals for DEMA Show 2016; and more. Once all other agenda items from day one are addressed, the Board is scheduled to review the 2016 budget.

Day two of the Board of Directors Meeting will commence with the discussion of Committees for 2016. These Committees will begin to outline their objectives and goals for the year. Each Board Member can volunteer to work in various Committees based upon their areas of expertise and interests. Committees are tactical and the goals of Committees include creating new ideas, improving current programs and benefits, clarifying or resolving pending issues, and soliciting feedback from Industry stakeholders.  Within their areas of focus, Committees’ ideas and suggestions are well-researched, strategically-developed, and when ready for further action, proposed to the entire Board for input, further development, and implementation. Additional Committee information is available online.

After final discussion and approval of the budget and programs, the Board of Directors will address any new business and conclude the afternoon of Friday, February 12th. More information on DEMA’s Board of Directors and Bylaws is available on the DEMA website. Complete minutes from past Board of Directors Meetings are available to current DEMA Members from the Member Dashboard of www.dema.org. Future 2016 meeting dates will be confirmed during February’s meeting.