Protect red snapper from overfishing
As a former president of the Central Florida Offshore Anglers Club and a former recreational fishing advisory panel member to the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, I’ve seen firsthand how passionate anglers are about catching red snapper, but fish populations don’t lie. Congress passed the Magnuson-Stevens Act in 1976 to stop overfishing and protect America’s fisheries before they suffered the fate of places like Newfoundland, Canada, where the Atlantic cod fishery collapsed in the early 1990s and has still not fully recovered. The law was designed to prevent that from happening in U.S. waters.
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Under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, Gov. Ron DeSantis cannot open federal waters to red snapper fishing or override federal regulations. Only NOAA Fisheries and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council set seasons and catch limits in federal waters. Florida’s authority ends about three nautical miles offshore. I hope anglers let science, not politics, guide their choices and continue following federal rules that helped rebuild this fishery.
The good news is South Atlantic red snapper have made an impressive comeback. The latest stock assessment found the population has reached about 76% of its rebuilding goal, but since the stock has not yet reached its target, federal law requires NOAA Fisheries and the Council to continue the rebuilding plan.
Every angler wants more time on the water, including me. But lasting fishing opportunities come from following science and the law, not politics. Fish stories may grow with every retelling, but fish populations only grow when they’re managed responsibly.
— William Higgins, New Smyrna Beach
World Cup’s joy revives our optimism
I’ve not been to any World Cup matches. I’ve seen highlights on social media and postings of team fans. I have been moved to tears by their camaraderie, unity, spirit and optimism.
How can anyone with a heart not take an immediate liking to Scotland’s Tartan Army? Can its legions drink that much beer and still be conscientious enough to clear away the trash?
How can you not want to join the Norwegians’ jolly Viking ship oar-pulling? How is one not enamored of the Dutch fans’ togetherness and cheerfulness, or the costumes and smiles of the Japanese fans? You could pick a team and be mesmerized at something we haven’t collectively had here in years: joy.
We’ve been on edge, exhausted and anxious due to the incessant, divisive, self-serving, alienating antics of Donald Trump. For years, most of the country has awakened each day wondering what misguided, dangerous, cruel, or wasteful order or policy will he and his sycophants foist on the American public. Who knew that the World Cup would bring respite to a country exhausted from mean-spirited politics?
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Their singing, dancing and cheering, and their civility, humor, warmth and goodwill kindled a memory of what once was, and hopefully ignited possibilities of what we can have here again. Thank you, Scotland, Norway, Netherlands, Japan and all the countries that remind us here in America what it means to be caring and unified.
— Scott Benarde, West Palm Beach
Two-party system fails America
The U.S. founding fathers got a lot right, including states’ rights vs. federal rights, and three branches of government where Congress, the courts and the president have to sometimes duke things out. It’s messy on purpose, per the Constitution’s creators, to keep any one charismatic person or group from one day hijacking their new and experimental form of democracy.
But the founding fathers failed to anticipate the rise of only two political parties. While there isn’t much policy space between a middle-of-the-road Democrat and a moderate Republican, the current primary system often moves far-right or far-left candidates into office.
In Florida, about 30% of the population (Democrats) choose someone to run for president or governor, and 41% (Republicans) pick the opposing candidate. About 28% (independents and minor parties) have no say at all, meaning over 1 in 4 Floridians may have to choose between a semi-communist or white supremacist in November. On Election Day, the 80% of Americans close to a political center have similarly bad choices, often voting based on opposition to someone they hate rather than in favor of someone they love.
If we’re divided as a nation, the root cause is this dysfunctional election system that, thanks to money and manipulation, turns our election process into a two-ring circus.
— Kerry Smith, Winter Springs
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