You are right on the money, Chip Curry, with your Facebook post comment "Fisherman should soften their approach to change and work side-by-side, hand-in-hand within the system we have toiled so long to build."

Some say the system of managing our fisheries is flawed. I say, what system is not flawed? Life is a process. We learn as we go along.

We will continue to suffer the consequences if we only sit by and complain about the way other folks are doing it. It doesn't matter if it is fisheries management, money-conservation, taxes, protecting our waters, Social Security or the way our city, state or federal government is managing our resources.

It is my opinion that anglers should be activists and conservationists. It is to our benefit to become involved with the many facets of conserving our fish, their habitats and clean water so we can continue to fish in the future.

Over the past six years I have been a volunteer at several of Anglers For Conservation (AFC) Hook Kids on Fishing(HKOF) events and continue to look forward to the next event because of the enjoyment and satisfaction I and other volunteers get from instructing the young anglers and their parents. The first hour of the event is devoted to teaching future anglers Safety, Stewardship , Conservation and of course, how to use fishing tackle and a rod and reel. Kids will challenge you with some very creative questions that really make you wonder how a six or seven year old can come with such questions.

Come to the Indian River Lagoon's western shore to experience the next Ecoscape Day, scheduled for 8 -12 am on Saturday, September 12th, at the Ted Moorehead Lagoon House, located on the Indian River Lagoon at 3275 Dixie Highway (U.S. 1), two miles south of US 192.

We'll be planting trees and native aquatic plants along the shores of the Lagoon House pond -  a time to give back to your community and gain volunteer hours, too. Learn how to save time and money while having fun and rewarding experience landscaping, gardening and familiarize yourself with about the intricacies of our Indian River Lagoon Coast's ecosystem.
 
At this free event, you will learn how to live a more sustainable life by changing the ways you interact with your yard and environment. Topics cover include:

• Erosion control and shoreline planting; water quality and lawn fertilizing
• How to better recognize invasive plants
• How to plant trees and native plant landscaping using effective ground cover and mulch, litter control, and recycling

For more information on partnership and volunteer opportunities, please contact Terry LaPlante, Volunteer, at MRCirl.org, or call (321) 725-7775.

Mark you calendars.  It's time once again for the Anglers for Conservation Orlando Gumbo Wars scheduled on October 24, 2015, at the Fish on Fire Restaurant in Orlando, Florida.  AFC Orlando Chapter is currently planning their annual fundraiser featuring both silent and live auctions, raffles and giveaways with all proceeds benefiting the AFC's Hook Kids on Fishing Program and other local youth fishing and outdoor charities. This fun filled family event features over 25 Gumbo Teams and is promoted and sponsored by Fishing Florida Radio, Coastal Angler Magazine Orlando and other Central Florida fishing community partners and local fishing clubs.




For more information on Anglers for Conservation, visit Anglers for Conservation.org and Point of Contact, Captain Tom Van Horn at (407) 416-1187or [email protected].

Learn about the event details and sponsorship opportunities!!

Sitting on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel for the past five years has given me a unique opportunity to listen to the concerns of many fishermen, captains and anglers. Attending these meetings are fishermen who take fish from the South Atlantic Ocean to sell and make a living; captains are the owners and operators of charter-for-hire boats, and anglers are the folks who fish recreationally. In the terminology of fisheries management, these different user groups are considered sectors.

It never ceases to amaze me how differently each of the sectors views the management of our Federal fisheries. Usually, the views are centered on each user groups' needs, which are unfortunately not the needs of the fish, their habitats or the ocean.  However, together we continue to move forward, trying our best to piece together a management system that regulates our Federal marine fisheries for the benefit of the people, the fish, and our ocean.

Last night, I re-read the SAFMC's Council Chair Ben Hartig's column, Chairman's Perspective from the South Atlantic Update's spring issue. In his column, Mr. Hartig did an excellent job of explaining how involved marine fisheries management is and discussed the importance of consistent regulations for our Federal fisheries across South Florida.

Working alongside individuals like Ben Hartig and the other water folks on the Council's Snapper Grouper Advisory Panel, has been a pleasure, and an eye-opening experience into the importance of the general public's input on issues that affect their quality of life.