On September 27, 2013, I received an email from the Everglades National Park Superintendent, explaining that the Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks would close on October 1, 2013 due to the government shutdown. Within the email, I was advised the parks would be closed to both commercial and recreational activity. That means that guides, outfitters, other permitted operators along with recreational persons are prevented from entering or using the park. That means that, in addition to the professional guides, the average citizen cannot get in his boat and go into the park.
The email also advised that Park Rangers will remain on duty for the purpose of law enforcement and emergency purposes. While I am unable to substantiate it, I have heard that more man power and money is being spent enforcing the closure than when the Park is normally open. Additionally, I have heard a report that the Coast Guard is also actively enforcing the Park closure. I find it hard to visualize the Coast Guard boats patrolling the shallow waters of the ENP.
In an interview with Steve Doosy on Fox and Friends on Monday, October 07 2013, Capt. Tad Burke of Islamorada, FL emphasized that the Fishing Guide Associations in the Florida Keys have a very good working relationship with the Park Superintendent. Capt. Burke further observed that the direction for this closure is coming from way up in the government’s chain of command.
While the month of October is somewhat of a slow month for tourism, the economy of the Keys, and some of Southeast Florida is being negatively affected. In addition to the livelihood of fishing guides, establishments such as hotels, restaurants, bait and tackle shops, are being negatively affected. Any fishing guide targeting the backcountry is pretty much out of business. The southern boundary of the ENP is the intracoastal waterway which runs very close to the Keys landmass. The northern boundary is US #1 at Jewfish Creek. Thus Barnes Sound and some of Card Sound will probably see increased fishing pressure. The southern boundary is approximately at Long Key. In addition to my own personal experience, I am aware of several fishing guides in Key Largo that are having to cancel trips, or target other species on the reef on the ocean side of the keys.
Capt. Burke noted that from the National Parks website is that, across the nation, small businesses are losing about $75 million a day.
It is very unsettling to know, that the congress is being paid, the president is being paid, and all of the furloughed government employees are being paid but the little guy is being prevented from making a meager living.
Should someone decide to violate the closure, the maximum penalty could be a misdemeanor with a fine of up to $5,000 and 6 months in jail per incident. If it were a guide, it would also affect his ability to obtain further permits to utilize the Park.
An additional written communication by the Park Superintendent to a fishing guide in the keys is that “We are allowing vessels to transit park waters from point to point if it is the only route available. This is especially true in our Gulf Coast waters near Everglades City. But even those that are transiting cannot anchor up, fish, or recreate. Avoiding navigating through park waters is highly recommended, especially if alternate routes are available. There are fewer valid reasons to claim transiting through our southern waters in Florida Bay. Vessels should instead use the intracoastal waterway.”
While I do not have specific information about Biscayne National Park, it is likewise closed.
So much for Teddy Roosevelt’s inscription in the Yellowstone Gateway Arch that says”FOR THE BENEFIT AND ENJOYMENT OF THE PEOPLE”
The statement was taken from the Yellowstone Park act of 1872
Submitted by: Captain Terry Hilker
www.wetdogcharters.com
Key Largo Florida
305 304 9481
hilkstr@yahoo.com
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