Crestview City Council shows solidarity with commercial fishermen

Politicians are often accused of doing fishy things.

In support of neighboring Destin, however, members of the Crestview City Council targeted what they considered to be fishy data behind fishery management practices.

Councilman Charles Baugh Jr. presented a resolution at the council’s Jan. 25 meeting that had been adopted by the Okaloosa County League of Cities supporting area commercial fishermen. According to the resolution, “data that has been collected by the Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistical Survey has been proven ‘fatally flawed’ by the National Research Council.”

The data was subsequently used to restrict or close commercial fishing of several popular Emerald Coast species, severely threatening the livelihood of Destin’s commercial fishing fleet, critics say. The resolution asked that a new “full-blown stock assessment be conducted by a credible independent third-party source” to bring the assessment into line with what fisherman have actually observed in the gulf.

Crestview's resolution of support was requested by Destin’s city council, which was seeking support from communities throughout the county.

“I think it would be good for us to support this,” said Councilwoman Linda Parker. Council President Bob Allen recommended the resolution be prepared for signature by the mayor, but Parker asked that the entire council’s signatures be included as well.

“The more the merrier,” she said, explaining that the more city leaders seen to be in support of the resolution, the greater impact when it is presented to Florida’s congressional delegation for action.

The council directed the city’s Administrative Services staff to draft a resolution, following as a guideline Resolution 10-01 of the Okaloosa County League of Cities, for its approval and submission to Mayor David Cadle.