Dear ScubaBoard members,
We would like your support for a petition we have created to RESCIND THE TROLLING EXEMPTION AT THE ALLIGATOR REEF SACTUARY PRESERVATION AREA in the Florida Keys. This is a safety issue. Please take the time to read and we sincerely hope you support us, together we can create change!
Within the 2900 square nautical miles of the National Marine Sanctuary there are 18 SPAs and these only encompass a total of 5 square miles! It boggles my mind that on 4 of these - Alligator, Conch, Sombrero and Sand Key - trolling and release is still allowed. Alligator is particularly shallow, only 6 feet by the lighthouse and a mere 12 on the ledge where the mooring balls for dive boats are and where on multiple occassions we've had charter fishing vessels directly overhead with lines and hooks in the water!
On June 17th we will be speaking in favor for this change at the Sanctuary Preservation Advisory Committee meeting. Maybe if we can show strong support we can make diving and snorkeling at the Alligator Reef Sanctuary Preservation Area safer for SCUBA divers and snorkelers. Maybe we can even have all 18 as trolling free zones.
Please, lend your support to this cause in the name of safety. Thank you!
http://www.change.org/petitions/noa...-spa-to-prevent-injuries-to-divers-snorkelers
We would like your support for a petition we have created to RESCIND THE TROLLING EXEMPTION AT THE ALLIGATOR REEF SACTUARY PRESERVATION AREA in the Florida Keys. This is a safety issue. Please take the time to read and we sincerely hope you support us, together we can create change!
Within the 2900 square nautical miles of the National Marine Sanctuary there are 18 SPAs and these only encompass a total of 5 square miles! It boggles my mind that on 4 of these - Alligator, Conch, Sombrero and Sand Key - trolling and release is still allowed. Alligator is particularly shallow, only 6 feet by the lighthouse and a mere 12 on the ledge where the mooring balls for dive boats are and where on multiple occassions we've had charter fishing vessels directly overhead with lines and hooks in the water!
On June 17th we will be speaking in favor for this change at the Sanctuary Preservation Advisory Committee meeting. Maybe if we can show strong support we can make diving and snorkeling at the Alligator Reef Sanctuary Preservation Area safer for SCUBA divers and snorkelers. Maybe we can even have all 18 as trolling free zones.
Please, lend your support to this cause in the name of safety. Thank you!
http://www.change.org/petitions/noa...-spa-to-prevent-injuries-to-divers-snorkelers
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