The National Park Service at Biscayne National Park recently released a draft General Management Plan (GMP) that proposes to close more than 20 percent of public waters to recreational boating and fishing. As local boating and sport fishing businesses that are opposed to this broad public access closure, we think there has to be a better way to balance conservation and preserve recreation.
The Park Service’s proposals include establishment of between a 10,000- and 21,000-acre marine reserve within Biscayne National Park’s boundaries. This vast marine reserve would entirely prohibit recreational fishing. Additionally, the park’s plans establish several no-combustion-engine zones that act as a de facto closure of even more of the park’s waters to boating. Engine powered boats will find it almost impossible to launch from shore and other prohibited areas within the park. Although Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation says that less-restrictive measures should be implemented, these appeals have fallen on deaf ears.
Recreational boating and fishing are important contributors to the Florida economy. Biscayne National Park is the largest marine park in the national park system and one of the country’s largest urban recreational fishing areas. It supports approximately 10 million angler trips a year. Recreational boating in Florida has an overall economic impact of over $3.4 billion in retail sales. Fishing and angling activity alone contributes $7.5 billion to our economy.
The Biscayne General Management Plan proposes closures to both boating and fishing, that if implemented will close public access, limit visitor experiences and directly affect the thousands of recreational boating and fishing jobs and retail sales that service Biscayne National Park.
We urge the National Park Service to eliminate the concept of marine reserves and the massive no-combustion-engine zones that are proposed in the draft GMP and instead work collaboratively with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, boaters and fishermen to develop a management plan that will preserve the park’s valuable natural resources while maintaining public access.
Scott Deal, president, Maverick Boat Company Inc., Fort Pierce
Joe Neber, president, Contender Boats Inc., Homestead
Carl Liederman, American Sportfishing Association, Miami
via miamiherald.com