The Florida Net Ban
Until about seven years ago, net boats were allowed to use their nets anywhere they wished. The industry created many jobs but also destroyed fish habitat. There were arguments both ways about whether or not this should be legal in the state of Florida but it was finally voted on it was decided that all nets bigger than five hundred square feet would be banned. Now after being banned since Nov. 8, 1994, it has again become an issue and many people are trying to have the ban lifted. While the Net Ban benefited the economy by creating jobs and producing an abundance of shrimp and other sea foods, it also killed other animals such as birds, dolphins, and turtles not to mention the countless acres of marine habitat destroyed. The netting industry created thousands of jobs ranging from the people who made and sold the nets to the crew on the boats. The boats brought in thousands of pounds of fish annually which provided the average consumer with fresh fish as much as he or she wanted. The value in 1990 of the commercial net harvest in Florid
The Net Ban has also had many benefits. Many people involved in the fisheries association claim that the rebounding fish populations have created a large number of jobs which are helping to replace those lost by the netters. Jones, the executive director of the Southeastern Fisheries Association, shows through his research that from 1988 to 1992 only 21 turtles died as a result of the nets while a much higher number were killed from ingesting fishing line and hooks. This is a serious issue that our future could depend on, hopefully it will be resolve soon. As for the accusations regarding the hundreds of turtles and dolphins killed each year in their nets, the reports from the netters who record such incidences show that only a small handful of these were related to netters. The number of deaths of dolphins, birds, and turtles from netters was quite significant and the ban has stopped that completely. Netters show that fish populations have not decreased a significant amount since the ban went into effect. a was about $42,800,000, 20% of the total commercial harvest in Florida. Many were also disposing of old nets in the water which proved fatal for all types of animals and fish that came in contact with them. There are thousands of people who are working to have the banned removed and it is possible that it will be in the future. Recreational fishermen have reported huge increases in both numbers and size of many species that were once sought after by netters. Hopefully if it comes to a vote again, people will be more informed to make the right decision. There are many positives as well as negatives that stem from this issue. Nobody wants people to lose their jobs, but at the same time we don't want to deplete our resources in the sea or harm dolphins, birds, or turtles.
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