Anglers and divers told Biscayne National Park officials at a workshop Wednesday that better law enforcement -- not closed zones -- is the key to improving fisheries resources in the park.

Park officials held workshops in Miami, Florida City and Key Largo last week to hear input on a proposed suite of five alternatives for managing fish, lobster and other marine creatures within its borders for the next five to 10 years. Scientific studies show that fish populations have declined dramatically over the past 30 years -- especially grouper and snapper.

The alternatives range from leaving things the way they are to imposing substantial restrictions on fishing, spearfishing, trapping, trawling and boating -- including user fees, gear limitations and closed areas. A plan is expected to be implemented in 2010.

``We all want bigger fish, more fish and a healthier marine ecosystem,'' park superintendent Mark Lewis told the gathering at the Crowne Plaza in Miami on Wednesday night. ``How do we get from where we are today to where we want to go?''

The majority of speakers called for increased law enforcement patrols to ensure compliance with current laws before enacting greater restrictions.

``In none of the alternatives did I see increasing law enforcement,'' said Jeff Allen, vice chairman of CCA-Florida, a recreational fishing group. ``I've fished for 20 years in Florida and I've never been checked out on the water. Yes, I've been checked at the ramp. But if you want to catch people doing something illegal, then get out there.''

Allen and other speakers urged park officials to leave fisheries management to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Lewis said he and his staff are working with the FWC, and that both entities would have to agree before any changes in sizes or bag limits are adopted.

The FWC is on record as declaring that marine protected areas, or no-fishing zones, should be used only as a last resort after other measures to conserve fisheries have failed. Proposals for those zones are being contemplated in the park's general management plan, which likely won't be out until mid 2010.

Spearfishers were unhappy with alternatives that would prohibit using spearguns with triggers and spearing fish while on scuba gear.

Coral Gables orthodontist Jorge Coro, an avid spearfisherman, said such restrictions could endanger divers by forcing them into deep water outside the park's 60-foot-deep boundary.

``If you limit their ability to spearfish, they're going to dive outside the park waters and black out and die,'' Coro said.

Several speakers said they opposed a user fee for boaters. John Walter, an angler and spearfisherman, called it ``heavy-handed.''

``If the key is to control the harvest and control access, a tag system might be the best approach,'' Walter said.

Lewis said the federal budget crunch means little likelihood of heightened law enforcement presence in the park.

``If I want to try to improve fisheries resources in the park, I can't depend on law enforcement because I can't get the budget to do it,'' Lewis told the audience.

Public comment on the fisheries management plan is open through Oct. 6. Comments may be submitted electronically at parkplanning.nps.gov/bisc or by mail to: Biscayne National Park, attn: Fisheries Management Plan, 9700 SW 328 Street, Homestead, Fla., 33033-5634.

Join the discussion

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.repliedToText@

@Nyx.replyAnswerText@

Reply to this Comment @Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@