The National Marine Fisheries Service agreed to ban longline fishing off the east coast of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, as well as in parts of the Gulf of Mexico. The Florida longline fleet consists of more than 50 boats that operate out of eastern Florida ports. When the ban went into effect, many of the fishermen were stunned. To them, the ban represents a victory for elite sportfisherman who simply want bigger tournament fish and give no thought to the ordinary people being hurt. They're trying to figure out what to do.
People are still in shock.
In Hypoluxo, the ban has driven Geno and Karen Pratt out of business. The Pratts, who have fished together since they were children, run a small operation. On a typical work day, they would take their boat the Just Right out at the Boynton Inlet and head about 20 miles off Fort Lauderdale or Miami Beach. Before dinner, they baited their 12-mile lines with mackerel and squid and set them out. At night, while one slept, the other would stand watch.