Over the last months, the situation of Florida's gamefish status for Permit has gotten widespread coverage. Unbelievably, Permit are not considered gamefish in the waters off Florida and commercial fishing is still allowed. To give some perspective to the issue, Belize, whose culture and economy are intricately tied to commercial fishing, had the foresight to ban commercial fishing for Permit in their waters nearly ten years ago.

The Florida Wildlife Commission commenced a staff review of the issue. Comments were gathered. Public meetings were held. And, in the end the staff review recommended (in a statement last week) going backwards on protections for permit, allowing spearing of the fish for the first time and ignoring the rising voice of anglers who want to see the fish achieve gamefish status.

Below is a letter form bad ass Florida Captain John O'Hearn:

Concerned anglers,
 
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) is currently planning to rework the laws governing permit (Trachinotus falcatus).  Many of you might be unaware that permit are still fished commercially in the state of Florida. While the limit for mature permit (over 20") is only two per day, the is NO harvest limits for fish under 20". Equally alarming, permit are still pursued with spearfishing tackle in federal water (just offshore).  Since there are no federal laws concerning the harvest of permit, it is literally open season out there.  
 
This is a great chance to protect the future of this species forever.  The Key West and Lower Keys Fishing Guides Association supports the following law changes.  We want the FWC to list permit as a gamefish, thus ending all commercial sale of the species.  We also support mandating the permit fishery as catch and release only, with some provision (a stamp or tag system) for the harvest of one fish per day for those pursuing world records. Lastly, we want to see state regulations extended into federal waters to ensure the success of these law changes.
 
A few minutes or your time could help protect these fish. Any comment in support of these law changes will go a long way. Seriously, public comment plays a very large role in the decision making/law making process.  Please, cut&paste and email the comment below to marine@myfwc.com  or for those preferring more old fashioned methods, download/print and mail/fax the attachment to:
 
Division of Marine Fisheries Management
2590 Executive Ctr Circle E  #201
Tallahassee, FL  32301
fax:  850 487-4847

Thank you very much for your time and please forward this to anyone you feel might be concerned,
 
Capt John O'Hearn
President 
Key West & Lower Keys Fishing Guides Assc
jpohearn@hotmail.com 
 
Cut and paste, write your name, enter "permit law changes" in the subject box.
 
FWC Commissioners,

In light of the proposed law changes for Permit (Trachinotus falcatus), I would like to voice my opinion.  I support listing Permit as a gamefish, thus ending all commercial sale of the species. 
 
I support the creation of a catch and release fishery for the species, with some provision (stamp or tag) for possessing one a day.  
 
Lastly, I support the extension of State regulations into federal water to insure complete protection of the species.  Thank you for your time.

 Sincerely,
 
 Your Name Here