Close Biscayne Bay? Seriously?

In July I attended a public meeting about Biscayne National Park's proposed marine reserve zones. The proposals included no anchoring, no spearfishing, no Iobstering and no fishing zones. The meeting was attended by the conservationists--boaters and fishermen--one representative from a local tackle retailer, and the preservationists who essentially want the entire park to be a no-take zone.

The conservationists are us, the boaters and fishermen who agree that some tightened regulations would be acceptable and beneficial to the park. The Park Superintendent made a rhetorical presentation with few details and a disregard for accurate information. The preservationists are extremely well prepared and have national funding to obtain their goals. Who do you think is going to win? I hope all Biscayne National Park anglers attend future meetings. See the proposal at http://parkplanning.nps.gov.

Juan Badell

Miami

GOT A GRIPE or a good word about FS or the Florida outdoors? Address your letter to: Editor, Florida Sportsman, 2700 S. Kanner Hwy., Stuart, FL 34994. Or, send e mail to jerry@ floridasportsman.com. Please include your full name and city when sending e-mail.