The CCA Georgia and CDNR have proposed a bill before Georgia law makers to provide Georgia redfish with gamefish status. This status would help protect our redfish from commercial fishermen and fish resale.
Hobie Kayak Fishing Team Hobie Polarized Pro Staff SouthEast Adventure Outfitters AFTCO Pro Staff
Myself and a couple of other CCA members met at the Capitol last week with Rep. Jon Burns and Rep. Ben Watson as well as several other legislators, and if I may offer a bit of an update:
HB 36 has been read on the House Floor twice now and been referred to the House Game, Fish & Parks Committee where it will either have a hearing or simply be voted out, back to the House Floor with a "Do Pass" recommendation from the Committee.
This should occur about January 30. We may need to send a few e-mails to that Committee should any opposition arise.
The Senate has also indicated its willingness to speed the process along when the bill crosses over and may even drop their own bill to get things moving even faster.
If anyone hears of any negativity associated with this bill please us know. Thus far it has been smooth as a baby's bottom!
"There are heartbeats in the wilderness. They share our moments in the mountains, in the swamps, and in and on the waters of our land, wherever we might be. They are the large part of the reason we are there, whether with a camera, gun, fishing rod, or pack sack on."
Post by fishingwithblue on Jan 22, 2013 11:59:56 GMT -5
Will game fish status for redfish lead to closing it to harvest? That seems to be the only negative word on the street that I can tell. I hope it doesn't affect harvest. The best tool in proper and complete conservation is the harvesting. People forget about sustainable resources being....well.....sustainable. The redfish in GA are a success story in my opinion.
No Sir Captain! The redfish is a renewable, consumable, sustainable resource!
No change in creel limits that anyone has shared with me at this time!
Certainly no change included in the wording of House Bill 36.
Essentially HB 36 consists of adding two words to Title 27 of the Official Code of Georgia: "Red Drum" will be added to the list of species that are recognized as game fish.
That is all.
No hidden effects or agenda. Simple and straight forward.
I have heard some people talking about wanting to make changes in the creel limit but that would require a separate legislative action and I doubt it would come in this session.
"There are heartbeats in the wilderness. They share our moments in the mountains, in the swamps, and in and on the waters of our land, wherever we might be. They are the large part of the reason we are there, whether with a camera, gun, fishing rod, or pack sack on."
I am on the Finfish Advisory Panel and we have yet to discuss any size or creel limits for the future. Having our redfish given gamefish status will do great benefits to its existence. That you guys for the updates on the bill.
Sounds like a great move. Wish we could get a closed season for smallmouth bass during the spawn on Lake Michigan/Green Bay in Wisconsin. Our local communities feel it would adversely impact tourism by not letting visitors harvest big females on the beds. Guess no one cares about tomorrow. Then again what does a non politician like me know. Looks like you have some common sense officials.
"Anything worth doing well is worth doing bad at first"
This Wednesday at 1:30 in room 406 CLOB across from the Capitol there will be a hearing in the House Game, Fish & Parks Committee for the bill.
Hopefully, at that hearing the Committee will vote to send the bill to the House Floor with a"do pass' recommendation. It would then head to the Senate where the fun would begin again.
"There are heartbeats in the wilderness. They share our moments in the mountains, in the swamps, and in and on the waters of our land, wherever we might be. They are the large part of the reason we are there, whether with a camera, gun, fishing rod, or pack sack on."
Anyone interested in watching the House Committee meeting today may do so by going to the link below and clicking on the link "Game, Fish & Parks" in the schedule at the appointed time:
"There are heartbeats in the wilderness. They share our moments in the mountains, in the swamps, and in and on the waters of our land, wherever we might be. They are the large part of the reason we are there, whether with a camera, gun, fishing rod, or pack sack on."
We hit a little bit of a set back yesterday as Charles Russo, owner of Russo's Seafood Market came to Atlanta to testify that he sells spot tailed bass which he purchases illegally from recreational fishermen and that is HB 36 is passed it will stop that practice.
No, that was not a typo!
The wheels of government do not turn in circles at times.
You may view the proceeding and fast forward as you like here:
Last Edit: Feb 7, 2013 10:17:44 GMT -5 by camohead
"There are heartbeats in the wilderness. They share our moments in the mountains, in the swamps, and in and on the waters of our land, wherever we might be. They are the large part of the reason we are there, whether with a camera, gun, fishing rod, or pack sack on."
We hit a little bit of a set back yesterday as Charles Russo, owner of Russo's Seafood Market came to Atlanta to testify that he sells spot tailed bass which he purchases illegally from recreational fishermen and that is HB 36 is passed it will stop that practice.
No, that was not a typo!
The wheels of government do not turn in circles at times.
You may view the proceeding and fast forward as you like here:
Just to clarify, did HE say it was an illegal purchase or are you saying it was an illegal purchase. I'm just wondering not defending. It used to be legal to sell your catch as long as the catch itself is within legal limits.
He said that he purchased fish from recreational fishermen. He was asked to clarify that statement.
He repeated that.
He was asked to clarify that statement again.
He repeated that again.
Last Edit: Feb 7, 2013 16:50:04 GMT -5 by camohead
"There are heartbeats in the wilderness. They share our moments in the mountains, in the swamps, and in and on the waters of our land, wherever we might be. They are the large part of the reason we are there, whether with a camera, gun, fishing rod, or pack sack on."
Try this link for the video and fast forward to the 44:00 to hear Mr. Russo's testimony:
"There are heartbeats in the wilderness. They share our moments in the mountains, in the swamps, and in and on the waters of our land, wherever we might be. They are the large part of the reason we are there, whether with a camera, gun, fishing rod, or pack sack on."
Last Edit: Feb 18, 2013 9:20:43 GMT -5 by camohead
"There are heartbeats in the wilderness. They share our moments in the mountains, in the swamps, and in and on the waters of our land, wherever we might be. They are the large part of the reason we are there, whether with a camera, gun, fishing rod, or pack sack on."
Just saw this posted on facebook from another site. I came here to see if it was being covered. Thanks for taking care of it. Trey if we can you may want to share this website on the blog and on the facebook page for CGKF. It may help get the word out, especially to those who dont live in GA, but who fish here.
Here is also a link to a quick email tool that will allow you to email all the representatives listed on there, it will save you time.
Just saw this posted on facebook from another site. I came here to see if it was being covered. Thanks for taking care of it. Trey if we can you may want to share this website on the blog and on the facebook page for CGKF. It may help get the word out, especially to those who dont live in GA, but who fish here.
Here is also a link to a quick email tool that will allow you to email all the representatives listed on there, it will save you time.
Guys, we have placed over 100 letters via e-mail, then faxed them for back up and have them in hand carrying them to the the Capitol today to place in the Committee members offices so there can be no denying that they have received them.
These are all well written letters back with solid facts and experience from charter captains and experienced fishermen/women!
We may not win but we/you/us/together/community have come to put to smack on this over the weekend!!!
We need to keep the throttle down! If you have not participated, please do so! Please remember to be respectful.
Anyone who lives in Rep. Watson's district is especially valuable and a call to his office followed by an e-mail from you urging him to follow through on his bill without amendment would be awesome!
"There are heartbeats in the wilderness. They share our moments in the mountains, in the swamps, and in and on the waters of our land, wherever we might be. They are the large part of the reason we are there, whether with a camera, gun, fishing rod, or pack sack on."
HB36 passed the House Game, Fish & Parks Committee today with a do pass recommendedation.
That's a big step!
Sent from my ADR6400L using proboards
"There are heartbeats in the wilderness. They share our moments in the mountains, in the swamps, and in and on the waters of our land, wherever we might be. They are the large part of the reason we are there, whether with a camera, gun, fishing rod, or pack sack on."
HB-36 will be on the House Floor for a vote this Monday, March 4th.
It would be great if everyone would please drop an e-mail to your Representative urging them to vote YES and not to allow any amendments from the floor.
The "NO AMENDMENT" part is critical!
Last Edit: Mar 1, 2013 13:13:21 GMT -5 by camohead
"There are heartbeats in the wilderness. They share our moments in the mountains, in the swamps, and in and on the waters of our land, wherever we might be. They are the large part of the reason we are there, whether with a camera, gun, fishing rod, or pack sack on."
HB-36 passed the House this morning by a vote of 168-0!
On to the Senate!
"There are heartbeats in the wilderness. They share our moments in the mountains, in the swamps, and in and on the waters of our land, wherever we might be. They are the large part of the reason we are there, whether with a camera, gun, fishing rod, or pack sack on."
We are in front of the Senate Natural Resources Committee today at 1PM.
If we clear that hurdle we will be on the Senate floor in a day or two!
"There are heartbeats in the wilderness. They share our moments in the mountains, in the swamps, and in and on the waters of our land, wherever we might be. They are the large part of the reason we are there, whether with a camera, gun, fishing rod, or pack sack on."
Passed the Senate Natural Resource Committee unanimously!
Several Senators stated they were impressed by concerted effort of 300-400 e-mails over the past few days.
Last hurdle is the vote on the Senate floor!
Ain't politics grand!
"There are heartbeats in the wilderness. They share our moments in the mountains, in the swamps, and in and on the waters of our land, wherever we might be. They are the large part of the reason we are there, whether with a camera, gun, fishing rod, or pack sack on."
HB-36 has been placed on the Senate Rules Calendar for this Monday and should be the first bill voted on when the gavel in at 10:00 AM!
If no last second slick attempt to ammend from the floor pops up Georgia's redfish will have their just recognition and we will have chance to manage the fishery in a meaningful way.
"There are heartbeats in the wilderness. They share our moments in the mountains, in the swamps, and in and on the waters of our land, wherever we might be. They are the large part of the reason we are there, whether with a camera, gun, fishing rod, or pack sack on."
