Dusky BlogCustom fishing boats since 1966

Recently, a new bi-partisan bill was presented to Congress to amend the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act of 2006. The Bill, known as the “Fishery Science Improvement Act of 2011″ aims to require new stock assessments for stocks that haven’t been tested in more than six years. It would require that all annual catch limits be based off recent scientific data.

Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) responded by saying “Fishery management decisions should be based on sound science. This legislation will ensure that science is a priority.

“It’s a simple formula,” said Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL). “Regulatory decisions, if necessary, should always be based on sound science. This legislation provides a simple answer to fisherman and to fishery managers.”

Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation President Jeff Crane stated that, ”The legislation is critical to sportsmen from coast to coast to coast. NOAA Fisheries needs this discrete legislative fix to ensure that recreational and commercial fishermen are not left at the dock because of the agency’s lack of science.”

Read more about the Bill here:

The National Safe Boating Council has launched their newly redesigned website. “The National Safe Boating Council is excited to introduce the ‘new’ website, offering educators, the media, marine professionals and recreational boaters the ease to explore all that our organization has to offer,” executive director Virgil Chambers said in a statement. “Now they can quickly identify different education and outreach efforts, as well as training opportunities and so much more with the simple click of a mouse.”

Remember: Safety on the water is a MUST!

http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/

SOUTHOLD, N.Y. – Marine assistance provider Sea Tow is reminding active armed service members about its Military Freeze Program, which allows members of the armed forces to freeze their Sea Tow membership while they are deployed.

The Sea Tow Military Freeze Program allows members of the armed services who are about to be deployed to temporarily suspend their Sea Tow membership without penalty for the duration of their deployment.

“To apply for this program, all you need is to send a copy of your deployment papers to Sea Tow, and we will freeze your membership until your return,” Capt. Joseph Frohnhoefer, Sea Tow founder and CEO, said in a press release. “Upon your arrival back home, just let us know and your Sea Tow membership will be activated again for any remaining time, which means you will have access to all o the benefits we provide our members.”

-originally posted in BoatingIndustry

The City of St. Augustine, Fla., has submitted a proposal for a new city ordinance that would limit anchoring within city limits to ten consecutive days. The ordinance would require that after 10 consecutive days, a vessel would have to move to an approved mooring field or marina or outside of city boundaries for at least one full day before being allowed to return.

In response, BoatUS is encouraging boaters from the area and those who travel to speak up about how the proposed ordinance could affect them.

“The state is now asking for feedback from boaters on this draft local ordinance for St. Augustine,” said BoatUS Executive Vice President Margaret Podlich in a press release. “However, since it’s a pilot program, it’s really important for anyone who wants to anchor in Florida to give the City feedback.”

-Originally posted in Boating Industry

Written complaints can be filed online by going to www.myfwc.com/boating/anchoring-mooring/public-comment. The deadline to submit is Nov. 6.