Attention Gulf Red Snapper Anglers

Photo provided by: MyFWC
Photo provided by: MyFWC

Big changes to Gulf recreational red snapper management could be coming – here’s your chance to weigh in and make sure your voice is heard. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council) is holding public hearings on a proposal known as regional management that could give states a larger role in red snapper management in federal waters. See meeting dates and times below.

Currently, the Council is responsible for management of the recreational red snapper fishery in all Gulf of Mexico federal waters. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) manages state waters off Florida. If the Council approves regional management, the federal recreational red snapper quota would be divided state-by-state or at a regional level, and states would set recreational seasons and bag limits in both state and federal waters off their coast.

Regional management could allow for recreational red snapper regulations in federal waters to be tailored to more local needs. However, there are possible trade-offs, such as potentially fewer fishing days for Florida red snapper anglers.

Two meetings will be held in Florida on regional management during October. Council and FWC staff will be on hand at these meetings to discuss proposal details and what it might mean for Florida anglers. If you cannot attend an in-person meeting, there will also be a webinar.

The FWC Commission will discuss regional management and review input from the public hearings at its Nov. 18-19 meeting in Panama City. This input will help the FWC Commission decide how the FWC representative on the Council should vote on the Council’s regional management proposal.

The Council is expected to make a final decision on regional management at its Jan. 25-29 meeting in Orange Beach, AL.

Meeting dates and locations:
All in-person meetings begin at 6 p.m. local time and end no later than 9 p.m. local time. The webinar begins at 6 p.m. Eastern Time.

Thurs, October 22, 2015
Embassy Suites
570 Scenic Gulf Drive
Destin, FL 332550
850-337-7000

Tues, October 27, 2015
Hilton St. Petersburg
Carillon Park
950 Lake Carillon Dr.
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
727-540-0050

Wed, October 28, 2015
Webinar

Click here to register!

Public Hearing Guides with details about the Council’s regional management proposal will be posted on the Council website at http://gulfcouncil.org/fishery_management_plans/scoping-thru-implementation.php.

Posted by pearl Member News

SWFMIA Industry Roundtable

Industry Roundtable

Please Join Us – All Interested Marine Industry Businesses Welcome

St. Petersburg Yacht Club – Thursday September 10, 4:00pm – RSVP Required

SWFMIA Roundtables are an opportunity for Marine Industry Businesses to come together for updates and discussions on issues. More importantly it is a chance to network, get to know others in the boating business, and be a part of growing efforts to strengthen the voice of our industry in Southwest Florida.

The Agenda
Dock & Marina Permitting & Dredging
Hans Wilson, Hans Wilson & Associates
Howard Miller, Gator Dredging 		The current state of Dock Permitting & a review of local dredging projects affecting boating.
Derelict Vessel Update
Hans Wilson, Hans Wilson & Associates
Phil Secord, Mastry Engine Center 		Status of FWC Derelict Vessel Plan.
Pinellas County Manatee Plan
Norm Schultz 		Status of plan and its impact on local boaters.
FWS Grants for Transient Docks
Walt Miller, St. Petersburg Municipal Marina 		A review of the city’s process in obtaining an FWC grant.
West Coast Inland Navigation District
Justin McBride 		What is WCIND and the role it plays in recreational boating.
Fishing Regs Effect on Boating
Dennis O’Hern, Fishing Rights Alliance
Dr. Luis Barbieri, FWC Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute 		Where are we with State and Federal regulations. How is it impacting the boating public.
Legislative Update
Missy Timmins, Timmins Consulting
MIA of Florida Tallahassee Lobbyist 		Upcoming boating issues in Tallahassee. Reapportionment.
SWFMIA The state of the Association and a discussion of how we can better bring Boating Businesses together and grow the voice of our Industry.

Roundtable: 4:00pm – 6:30pm (Starting promptly at 4:00pm) No charge to attend
Happy Hour: 6:30pm – 7:30pm (SWFMIA hosts appetizers and 1st drink, then cash bar)

St. Petersburg Yacht Club
11 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Email laura@swfmia.com or call 954-570-7785

Posted by pearl Member News SWFMIA News

NEWS: Only a few days left to make your comment on the EPA’s ethanol proposal.

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There’s only a few days left before the EPA’s ethanol comment period closes. This is our last chance to tell the EPA that we want less ethanol in our fuel supply, the freedom to choose E0 and the assurances to better protect marine engines against E15.

Deadline

Thousands of comments from the boating community have poured in demanding the EPA reverse course on its proposed increase to the ethanol mandate, but every comment counts.

Will you join them and help make a difference?

YES, I WILL!

The deadline is Monday night at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Commentbutton

Posted by pearl Member News

Lido Key – Big Pass Sand Dredge

Looking across Big Pass at Siesta Key, from South Lido Beach. This is the area the Army Corps of Engineers has proposed removing sand from the shoal to be used to renourish the beach on Lido Key. HERALD-TRIBUNE ARCHIVE / 2014 / MIKE LANG
Looking across Big Pass at Siesta Key, from South Lido Beach. This is the area the Army Corps of Engineers has proposed removing sand from the shoal to be used to renourish the beach on Lido Key.
HERALD-TRIBUNE ARCHIVE / 2014 / MIKE LANG

It has taken nearly 20 years to get federal approval for this project, however plans to renourish Lido Key are causing concern for several groups. The plan would dredge sand from a shoal in Big Pass, and deposit it on the beach at Lido Key. This project would extend 1.56 miles north from the southern tip of the key, and would be the most amount of sand added to Lido Key beach at one time. Once the project is completed, the average width of the beach would be 176 feet. Opponents of the project are concerned that world-famous Siesta Public Beach will be jeopardized if the project does go through. For complete information visit: http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/…

Posted by pearl Member News

THE 14th ANNUAL CHARLOTTE COUNTY BOAT SHOW JANUARY 15-18, 2015

THE 14th ANNUAL CHARLOTTE COUNTY BOAT SHOW
JANUARY 15-18, 2015

PORT CHARLOTTE, FL – Charlotte County is home to just about the finest boating waters in the United States and The 14th Annual Charlotte County Boat Show is coming to the Charlotte County Fairgrounds, January 15th – 18th. This is the area’s largest showing of boats and marine products and a great chance to see what is new in 2015.

Every major dealer will be on hand with more than 250 boats estimated to be on display. The Fairground’s Expo Hall will be loaded with a variety of marine accessories and services. There will be supplies and accessories, boat lifts, clothing, yacht brokers, marinas, boatyards, service suppliers and more.

The show is a great opportunity to learn more about area boating and safety. The U.S Coast Guard Auxiliary, Power Squadron, and local Yacht Clubs can answer just about any questions you may have about where to go and how to enjoy the amazing boating waters of Charlotte Harbor.

The ever popular Fishin’ Franks Bait & Tackle will hold Fishing Seminars throughout the four days. You can learn from and talk with area guides about both inshore and offshore fishing. You’ll never find a friendlier or more experienced crew than Fishin’ Frank’s team, always happy to answer all your questions. With Frank’s popular Fishing Simulator, you can experience the excitement of catching everything form a bass to a marlin. It’s all free. Just stop by the seminar area.

Admission to the show is free. There is a $5.00 parking fee for very convenient on-site parking. The show is open from 10AM-6PM Thursday through Saturday and 10AM-5PM on Sunday.

The Boat Show is located on the north end of Port Charlotte at the Charlotte County Fairgrounds. 2333 El Jobean Road (Route 776), Port Charlotte FL 33948. About 3 miles west of U.S. 41. Across the street from the Charlotte County Sports Complex (Spring Training site of the Tampa Bay Rays).

The CHARLOTTE COUNTY BOAT SHOW is owned by the Southwest Florida Marine Industries Association. The association, whose membership includes virtually every boat dealer and marine related company in Southwest Florida, has protected the rights of boaters and promoted boating and the marine industry in Southwest Florida for more than 40 years. The association also owns the BONITA SPRINGS BOAT SHOW, held at the Naples Ft. Myers Greyhound Track in March and the FORT MYERS BOAT SHOW, held in downtown Fort Myers in November.

Complete show details can be found at www.goboatingflorida.com.

Posted by pearl Member News

BOATER ALERT

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BOATER ALERT: The USCG is surveying the boating community to see what impact a change in bridge opening schedules will have on boaters. This is being driven by All Aboard Florida which is a public/private passenger rail project (Florida East Coast Industries) that connects Miami with Orlando in three hours. Several waterways are impacted, including New River in Ft. Lauderdale, Loxahatchee River in Jupiter and St. Lucie River in Stuart. Trains are stated to be less than 1,000 feet long and capable of crossing each waterway in less than 60 seconds, but it will result in the train bridges being closed over ten hours a day, with most of the rail traffic taking place when boating is also at its peak traffic hours. This does not include the existing commercial rail traffic.

Click to download the Seventh Coast Guard District, Navigation Survey.

Posted by pearl Member News SWFMIA News

SWFMIA Annual Dinner

IMPORTANT! Due to a very strong response from our members and guests, we have moved Wednesday’s dinner across the street from the City Pier back to Harborside (1375 Monroe Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901). Looks like this will be our biggest Annual Dinner ever.

INVITE ANNUAL MEETING 0914

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, September 17th for our Annual Meeting at the City Pier building on the Caloosahatchee in downtown Fort Myers. Cocktails, Dinner, a candidates “Meet and Greet” prior to elections, an auction to raise funds for our scholarship/community donation fund, and our “State of the Association” Presentation. Please RSVP by emailing Laura@swfmia.com.

Posted by pearl Member News SWFMIA News

Paradigm Yacht Sales Merges with Pier One Yacht Sales

Pier One Yacht Sales

Pier One Yacht Sales owners Len Garofoli and Tony Mondello announced today that Paradigm Yacht Sales located at Cape Harbour Marina in Cape Coral, FL has merged their company with Pier One Yacht Sales.

Pat Roush started Paradigm Yacht Sales in 2003 with an office in Cape Coral. Pat moved the office to Cape Harbour Marina located in Cape Coral, FL in 2007. Pat Roush, who was Sales Manager of Jefferson Yachts before starting Paradigm has 20 years experience in the boating industry.

“This is a win win situation with benefits” says Roush. “With the collective knowledge and experience of all parties involved and the worldwide exposure of Pier One Yacht Sales, this is one merger where the most important part will be for our clients. They are the ones who will benefit the most”. “We will not be closing the office in Cape Harbour Marina” Roush went on to say, “If anything we will be expanding its impact. This gives both Paradigm clients and Pier One clients who are from Cape Coral, Ft. Myers, St James City and Matlacha a closer office while still getting all the benefits of Pier One’s three other locations”. The Cape Harbour office will now be called, Pier One Yacht Sales at Cape Harbour.

Pier One Yacht Sales presently has three locations, Burnt Store Marina, Cape Haze Plaza and its main office located in Fishermen’s Village in Punta Gorda. Pier One was founded by Len Garofoli, former Vice President of Navigator Yachts Inc. back in the fall of 2004. “Any firm in Florida would have jumped at the chance to work with Pat and his team” said Garofoli, “All I can say is that I am honored that he is now on our team”.

Pier One Yacht Sales started as a dealer for Navigator Yachts, Californian Yachts and Legacy yachts. Garofoli expanded the brokerage part of the firm when he moved from Gasparilla Marina to Fishermen’s Village back in 2006.

In October of 2011, Garofoli brought in Tony Mondello, former VP of IBM, as a full partner. “These are the places to be” says Mondello. “Three resort marinas with over 3 million people a year, from all over the world, walking by our windows. We have a selling tool that no other firm in the area can offer”.

This is the third brokerage firm to join under the Pier One banner in the last 18 months. The merger now makes Pier One Yacht Sales the largest brokerage firm between Charlotte and Lee County that has four fully staffed offices with a total of 22 brokers serving South West Florida.

For more information contact:
Len Garofoli
Pier One Yacht Sales
941-639-7777

Posted by pearl Member News