Thread: Net boat

Started dropping net about 100 yards east of the pier about 11pm. Time to make some phone calls.

Time & date stamped pictures would help make a case. Cell phones time and date stamp.

Our lawmakers in MS are trying to ban all nets.. I can't remember the link, but i'll try to find it.

Believe it or not, that may be legal.
Were they inside or outside the sandbar?
Yes, that makes a difference IF they were 'targeting' pompano.
By law: "Jan 1 through Labor Day, closed fishing season for Florida pompano by use of any net.
allowed incidental by-catch of pompano of no more than 5% by weight of other fishes taken (220-3-.60).
Saltwater Gillnet Maps | Outdoor Alabama

I believe you can still text “coastwatch” to the number 847411 to report saltwater fishing violations.
Also call MR Enforcement @ 24 Hour Contact Number: (251) 476-1256
http://www.outdooralabama.com/saltwa...water-contacts

If in doubt, make the call.
That said, they were most likely legal, as net boats may operate in that area from 6pm to 6am, Monday-Thursday.

Here are the gill net maps, I had to zoom to 175% to see them clearly.
Saltwater Gillnet Maps | Outdoor Alabama

When you make the phone call, you'll need to have personally observed the violation in question. Just hearing that there was a violation without actually witnessing it won't do much good. I've said for a long time that IF nets are allowed, then there should be a buffer zone of at least a mile to the east and west from the pier. They've got the whole Gulf to fish in. Pier fishermen PAY to fish and are limited to one specific area. As it is, boats are allowed to come as close as 100 yards from the pier! They definitely reduce catch-rates of desirable fish species!

It's called 'localized depletion', and I made an appeal to the Conservation Advisory Board in May 2012 to set up a buffer zone from commercial exploitation around the pier but there was never any action taken.

And it doesn't do any good to report a violation AFTER the fact.
They need timely reports and a good description of the violators in order to proceed.
Even then they may not be able to respond immediately due to limited manpower and the 8 miles (or more) they would have to travel to get to the pier.

I don't know if it's a violation or not. They were just across the sandbar on the gulf side. Legal or not it seems like a real azz hat thing to do when you have the whole coast to operate. I would like to see a buffer around the pier for mile or two. Just need to start making calls to see what can be done.