A harbinger of things to come?

[MakoMike]

"New reporting requirements will be implemented for federally permitted charter and headboat vessels in the Gulf of Mexico this year. Vessels will have to hail-out before taking a trip; complete an electronic report for each trip before offloading fish; and have a device permanently affixed to each vessel that, at minimum, archives vessel position and transmits that information to NOAA Fisheries."

For anyone currently chartering and/or those thinking about it, this looks like a pretty pricey piece of required equipment, should that requirement be adopted around here.

 

[Roccus7]

Regrettably, it seems that all the newer regulations are forcing expensive equipment to be purchased, effectively forcing the smaller folks out of the game, just like what has been happening with the commercial folks. The "Day Boat" and the "Small Offshore 6-Pack" are destined to become extinct at the hands of NOAA...

 

[Scupper]

Sooner or later they will put a chip in all of us ....

 

[Old Mud]

Regrettably, it seems that all the newer regulations are forcing expensive equipment to be purchased, effectively forcing the smaller folks out of the game, just like what has been happening with the commercial folks. The "Day Boat" and the "Small Offshore 6-Pack" are destined to become extinct at the hands of NOAA...

True 100%. A few years ago i was at a NMFS Tuna meeting and we were discussing just that ( The future role of the small boat Commercial fisheries). We were just trying to know where we would fit in their future plans. Then i heard something completely shocking to me. M............. " Well it's a lot easier for us to monitor and manage a few Big vessels than hundreds of small ones" . Although that was completely shocking to me at the time it does make sense. But, that would put hundreds of Mosquito boat fishermen and all the buisnesses they use out of business.

Anyway I did have a reply that was not appreciated. (I was told later). Itwas, "Well you should be careful not to screw yourself out of a job by having just a few boats to regulate !! Then you'll be right there along with the very folks you put out of business. " Probably wouldn't be good.