Written by Shark Savers | |||||||||||||||||||||
Tuesday, 14 June 2011 08:51 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission proposes additional
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Date |
Time |
Location |
June 20, 2011 | 6:00 pm-8:00 pm EDT | Brevard Agricultural Center 3695 Lake Drive Cocoa,FL32926 |
June 21, 2011 | 6:00 pm-8:00 pm EDT | IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame 300 Gulf Stream Way Dania Beach,FL33004 |
June 22, 2011 | 6:00 pm-8:00 pm EDT | HarveyGovernmentCenter 1200 Truman Avenue Key West,FL33040 |
June 23, 2011 | 6:00 pm-8:00 pm EDT | TerraceBuilding, Rm 1001 101 S. Washington Blvd. Sarasota,FL34236 |
June 28, 2011 | 6:00 pm-8:00 pm CDT | Destin Community Center 101 Stahlman Avenue Destin,FL32541 |
June 30, 2011 | 6:00 pm-8:00 pm EDT | St. Johns County Auditorium 4020 Lewis Speedway St. Augustine,FL32095 |
What if I can’t make it to one of the Workshops?
PHONE LINE COMMENTS
The FWC Commission is also holding a phone conference to gather public comments:
July 7, 2011 – 6:00-8:00 p.m. EDT (5:00-7:00 p.m. CDT)
The public may access this workshop via voice-only line. Please RSVP at 850-487-0554 to obtain instructions to join the phone-in meeting.
EMAIL COMENTS
You can also send written comments to: Commissioners@MyFWC.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Scientific and observational data to: Aaron.Podey@MyFWC.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Please copy your emailed comments to us at savefloridasharks@sharksavers.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
MAIL-IN COMMENTS
Kathleen Hampton
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission620 South Meridian StreetTallahassee,FL32399-1600
Why protectFlorida’s sharks?
Florida’s waters provide important habitats for sharks. Therefore,Floridais in a unique position to make a significant contribution to the health of shark populations, not just inFlorida, but along the entire U.S. East Coast, the Gulf of Mexico, and theCaribbean.
ECOSYSTEM: Healthy shark populations help ensure healthy marine ecosystems.
ECONOMY: Tourism and water-related industries, including boating, fishing and diving, are vital toFlorida’s economy. Protecting our marine ecosystems by protecting sharks helps ensure the future prosperity of these industries.
HUMAN HEALTH: Large sharks contain unsafe levels of mercury and other toxins. The continued harvest or recreational catch of large sharks supports the unhealthy consumption of shark meat. Note: The Florida Department of Health advises NO ONE eat shark meat from any animal over 43 inches in length. See page 31 of Your Guide to Eating Fish Caught in Florida.
GLOBAL DECLINES: Worldwide sharks are under enormous commercial fishing pressure mainly due to the demand for shark fin soup. ~73 million sharks per year are caught and killed for consumption and shark products.
- Great Hammerhead Shark: IUCN Status = Endangered worldwide with a “decreasing” population trend and “Very High Risk of Extinction.” Regionally, endangered in the Northwest Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico and critically endangered in theEastern Atlantic.
- Scalloped Hammerhead Shark: IUCN Status = Endangered worldwide.
- Smooth Hammerhead Shark: IUCN Status = Vulnerable worldwide with a “High Risk of Extinction.”
- Tiger Shark: IUCN Status = Near Threatened meaning the species has been evaluated against scientific criteria but insufficient data contributes to unknown population trends; Threatened status is likely in the near future.
When will a decision be made?
Based on input received, FWC Analysts will prepare a recommendation to the FWC Commissioners. This recommendation will be presented at the next schedule Commission meeting, which will be held in NaplesSeptember 7 – 9th. There will be additional opportunity for stakeholder and public testimony at this Commission meeting. The Commissioners may decide to vote on the shark proposals at this meeting, but more likely the vote will be scheduled for the November 16 – 17th Commission meeting inKey Largo.
[…] Source: https://reefrescue.wordpress.com/2011/06/17/help-protect-floridas-hammerhead-and-tiger-sharks […]
By: Help Protect Florida?s Hammerhead and Tiger Sharks | Technology Terms on June 17, 2011
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