WASHINGTON, D.C. — It was mission accomplished for Destin’s Capt. George Eller.

“I think we stand a worthwhile chance of getting something done real soon,” said Eller as he sat on the bus in Union Station in Washington D.C. waiting for the 17-hour ride home following Wednesday’s United We Fish rally.

For more than 100 photos from the protest, click here.

“If they hold true to their word, we should get something done. And if they don’t, we can sure fire them.”

Eller, who has been a captain for more than three decades, was among the dozen or so Destin captains that represented the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village as more than 4,000 fishermen and friends gathered on one of the demonstration areas in front of the Capitol building in Washington D.C. for the three-hour rally.

“It was awesome. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” he said. “I’m proud I was part of the process and got to hear the senators and congressmen in person. But what impressed me most was hearing the unity from all of the fishermen from all over the United States.”

By the busloads, fishermen from New Jersey to the Florida Keys and from Alaska to California came bearing signs, carrying banners and sporting stickers plastered on their shirts. To a man, they all voiced the same opinion that the Magnuson Stevens Act, which was designed to regulate fish to sustainable levels, is broken.

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BUCK ON THE BUS

Log Managing Editor Tina Harbuck was on the charter bus that made its way to Washington, D.C., for the "United We Fish" march on the Capitol. She is provided this travelogue from her trip. CLICK HERE.

For a photo gallery of Destin captains boarding the bus, click here.

For a photo gallery from the hotel, click here.

For more photos of the protest, click here.

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Destin, Panama City and Mexico Beach were all represented with more than 35 captains and deckhands that spent 18 hours on a bus, as well as about 20 others who flew in to be part of the rally.

“There is nothing more important than grass roots,” Congressman Frank Pallone told the fishermen as the chant of “I fish, I vote” began to reverberate across the crowd.

Like many of the other 20 to 25 congressmen and senators that spoke during the three-hour rally, Pallone said,

“That is the only thing they understand … I fish, I vote.

“The science is broken and what they are doing is wrong,” Pallone said. “We need flexibility … that’s the only way we’re going to make some changes around here.”

Destin City Councilman Jim Wood, who knows what it’s like to be an elected official, flew in Tuesday night to support the fishermen at the rally.

“You decide to run for office for a reason,” Wood said. “And this is a reason. These guys have been fishing for a long time. And I’m here to do whatever I can for them … whatever. This is important we’ve got to get it done.”

Capt. Scott Robson, along with Capt. Mike Eller, and Capt. Mike Graef arrived a couple of days before the rally in order to meet with congressmen and senators.

“We got a good response,” said Robson, who runs the charter boat Phoenix.

In fact, hours before the fishermen arrived at the Capitol, Florida’s U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson sent out a letter to the media decrying “troubling” fishery closures based on  “limited data and sporadic stock assessments.”

“While I strongly support curbs to overfishing and responsible management of our fisheries, I believe we must examine how to achieve that laudable goal without unduly harming coastal communities,” Nelson wrote.

When the fishermen were in position, it was Nelson’s colleague, Sen. Charles Schumer, who first got the crowd fired up at the rally.

“It’s time our voices were heard,” the New Yorker said. “We need to start caring about our fishermen as much as our fish.” The call drew shouts and applause from the crowd.

“Shame on the Magnuson Stevens Act,” he continued. “We need flexibility to be able to thrive. We need sound scientific findings. The fish stocks are getting healthy.”

He then went on to promise, “We’re going to give you flexibility, so boats are not tied up at the docks.”
Destin’s Capt. Lyn Clevenger and his wife Capt. Diana Clevenger are counting on our elected officials to get the job done.

 “We’re making a gamble right now to expand, hoping they get this thing fixed,” Lyn said. The Clevengers’, which run the Breakaway, recently purchased a new boat, Miz Jeannie, which Diana will run.

But they also realize it’s not just them hurting because of the broken system.

“It’s hurting everybody,” Diana said. “I ran into people today who are worse off than we are.”

Senator George LeMieux of Florida encouraged those in attendance to go to the offices of their Congressmen and tell them, “We’ve got to change this law.”

Congressman Adam Putnam, also of Florida, agreed.

“When did flexibility become an ugly word? We’re not going to stand for it. We’ll be there and we’ll get it done.”

Congressman of Rob Wittman of Virginia said, “Fishing is jobs … it’s our livelihood.

“I’m excited about what I see here today … and we hear you loud and clear,” he added.

And for many that’s what they’ve longed for — to be heard.

Minutes prior to the rally, Capt. Jim Westbrook said, “I’m not sure these people in those concrete buildings look outside those windows,” he said as he pointed toward the buildings that lined the street.

In recent weeks, Capt. Westbrook retired his party boat the New Florida Girl after 40 years of fishing due to the closures and regulations.

“I didn’t think we were going to draw any attention from Congress,” he said. “But this was incredible.”

 

To see Wednesday's report, keep reading.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — With signs in hand, stickers plastered on shirts and groups carrying banners, the message was the same – I FISH, I VOTE.

Those were the words shouted by the more than 4,000 fishermen and friends gathered on one of the demonstration areas in front of the Capitol building in Washington D.C. Wednesday afternoon.

“There is nothing more important than grass roots,” Congressman Frank Pallone told the fishermen as the chant of, “I fish, I vote” began to wave across the crowd.

But Pallone said, like a lot of the other 20 to 25 congressmen and senators that spoke during the three-hour rally,

“That is the only thing they understand … I fish, I vote.

“The science is broken and what they are doing is wrong,” Pallone said. “We need flexibility … that’s the only way we’re going to make some changes around here.”

By the bus loads, fishermen from New Jersey to the Florida Keys and from Alaska to California were in attendance to voice their opinion that the Magnuson Stevens Act, which was designed to regulate fish to sustainable levels, is broken.

Destin, Panama City and Mexico Beach were represented with more than 35 captains and deckhands that spent 18 hours on a bus, as well as about 20 more others who flew in to part of the rally.

“This is amazing,” said Capt. Mike Eller of Destin as he looked out over the crowd. “I think this is a clear indication at what kind of reach the Magnuson Stevens Act is having across America,” said Eller who docks his charter boat Lady Em behind Harbor Docks in Destin.

“Two years ago we were told you couldn’t change the Magnuson Stevens Act,” Eller said.

But in the last couple of days since he’s been in Washington, he said there is new hope.

Capt. Ken Anderson of Panama City’s Capt. Anderson’s Marina was of the same opinion.

“We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback,” in the last couple of days after meeting with legislators he said.

“And we’re excited about this crowd,” said his wife Pam Anderson. “But they are here, because they need their jobs. It’s truly a nationwide problem.”

To read a letter from Sen. Bill Nelson, click here.

Capt. Kirk Reynolds of Destin, who flew in Tuesday, said the bottom line is “Can I keep making a living like I’ve done for the past 25 years, or do I need to look for another job at the age of 50? I’ve got to be able to feed the kids and pay the bills.”

Capt. Reynolds, of the charter boat SS Enterprise, has five kids and a granddaughter.

“I want them to be able to catch fish when they grow up.”

But the bottom line is, “If people can’t fish, I don’t have a job.”

However, after seeing the crowd gather in front of the Capitol building Reynolds was glad he made the trip.

Capt. Mark Kelly of Panama City opened the rally with a prayer, and asked God for favor as well as favor from the politicians.

“Give us a peaceful protest,” Kelly said, “but that our voice will be heard.”

Senator Charles Schumer was one of the first to speak, getting the crowd fired up.

“It’s time our voices were heard,” Schumer said. “We need to start caring about our fishermen as much as our fish,” which drew shouts and applause from the crowd.

“Rebuilding the fish stock is important, but not at the expense of our fishing communities.

“Shame on the Magnuson Stevens Act,” he said. “We need flexibility to be able to thrive. We need sound scientific findings. The fish stocks are getting healthy.”

He then went on to promise, “We’re going to give you flexibility, so boats are not tied up at the docks.

“We want to thank you for voting with your feet by being here. And we’re not going to stop until we get what we want.”

And what some of the senators and congressmen want is more flexibility in the regulating of the fisheries as well as sound scientific data collection. And not just for the commercial and recreational fishermen but for all fishermen.

Senator George LeMieux of Florida encouraged those in attendance to go to the offices of their congress and tell them, “We’ve got to change this law.”

Congressman Adam Putnam, also of Florida agreed, “when did flexibility become an ugly word … we’re not going to stand for it. We’ll be there and we’ll get it done.”

 

TO READ TUESDAY'S STORY, SEE BELOW.

More than 35 fishermen and friends boarded Coastal Coaches charter bus Tuesday morning on Panama City Beach for a date with destiny.

The anglers were upbeat as they pulled away from Capt. Anderson’s Marina and began the marathon 16-hour trip to Washington, D.C., for the United We Fish march on the capitol.

“I’m going to Washington because if we don’t make a statement now, in three to five years the possession of a fish hook will be a federal offense,” said Tom Stewart, who is a first mate on the Just-B-Cause.

The fishermen have been hammered for years by federal regulations that have locked down the area’s signature fisheries like the red snapper. The breaking point for many area captains was when the feds abruptly pulled the plug on the amberjack season in the middle of the Destin Fishing Rodeo last October.

More than 2,000 fishermen from up and down the Eastern Coast and Gulf Coast will be participating in a march at the Capitol from noon until 3 p.m. Wednesday. The march is designed to try and catch the ear of congressmen that can help to change those restrictive laws.

“I’m going to D.C. to stand by fellow fisherman and support my community in the effort to allow flexibility in the Magnuson Stevens Act to open regulations until more realistic data can be utilized,” said Capt. Ken Bolden of the charter boat Just B Cause.

In addition to the almost dozen Destin captains aboard the charter bus are fishermen from Mexico Beach and Panama City.

Capt. Hank Hunt, a 40-year charter boat captain in Panama City, said, “I’m going to petition our legislatures to pass a bill that will give some flexibility to fishing regulations.

“And we hope we accomplish what we go for,” he said.

By mid-morning even the bus driver was getting into the spirit of things.

“I always support the fisherman. I love to eat fish — especially red snapper,” said Richie Johns.