The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-08-26
Spearfishing Ban At Fort
Jefferson Explained By
Natl. Park. Service Head
RODS AND REELS
NOT SPEAR GUNS
PERMITTED AT
DRY TORTUCAS

Avoy today by C. r. Vinten. Super
intendent of National Park Ser
vice, St. Augustine, Fla.
Vinten wrote in answer to Mrs.
McAvoy's questions which she
raised because of the interest in
Fort Jefferson shown by spearfish-
ermen from all over the nation.
"The rod and reel, or handline,
fisherman has little to worry
about" vinten wrote. II would not
70 SO far as to say that spearfish-
ing is not sportsmanlike. 1t is, how
ever, not permitted in national
parks because they are unique
types of sanctuaries where fishing,
ut best, is not the principle attrac-
ton"
The actual National Park Ser
vice regulation on fishing, which
covers Fort jefferson reads as fol-
lows Vinten says:
IA Obi Fishing with nets, seines,
traps, or by the use Of drugs or
explosives, for merchandise or pro-
fit, or in any other way than with
hook and line, the rod or line being
held in the hand, is prohibited:
Provided, that commercial fishing
in the waters Of Everglades Ma
tional Park and Fort Jefferson and
Glacier Bay National Monuments,
is permitted under special regula-
tons"
Special regulations for Fort JEFF
ferson in the Tortugas state that:
mo underwater marine life shall
be disturbed or taken from the
moat or from the shoal waters sur
rounding Garden Key or Bush Key,
or from the shoal waters Of Long
Key north of 5-foot channel, where
depths Of water at mean low tide
are less than Is feet. Possession
Of fishing tackle, nets, spears,
or gigs within such areas shall be
prima facie evidence that the per-
son or persons possessing the same
are guilty Of unlawful fishing in
such waters: Provided, That the
provisions Of this paragraph shall
not be construed to prohibit sport
fishing in the deep. water channels
or from any pier within the area"
Vinten says further:
"Wildlife Of all kinds in the parks
brings greatest enjoyment to those
who merely look at II. Like the big
trees Of Sequoia and Yosemite, they
are sold to millions next year.
When they are destroyed they are
sold only once. ]"
As background TO Fort Jefferson's
regulations and the Park Service,
Vinten wrote:
"The Act Of Congress Of 1916 ex-
pressed the National Park Concept
as clearly as the pioneers in the
National Parks had for many years
expressed their hopes for preserv-
ing the superlative areas of this
country. The dreams of many for
ward looking Americans since the
1905, were expressed in this Act
Of 1916 which said. TO conserve
the scenery, the scientific and his
toric objects, and the wildlife there
in and to provide for the enjoyment
of the same In such manner and
by such means as viii leave them
unimpaired for the enjoyment Of
future generations"
Vinten specifics, "At Fort JEFF
ferson, where the luxuriance of tro-
pical seas Is SO unique, there are
few restrictions to sport fishing,
although the Service regulations
are designed to perpetuate the
sport and guide Il along lines Of
the highest type Of sportsman
ship. He then gives the general
ruling of paragraph Ia (b) cited
above.
The special regulations for Fort
Jefferson are quoted in fun below.
The sections thl, tcl and (dl under
Section 10 were enacted about a
year ago, vinten said to keep the
shrimp fleet from appropriating the
channels and otherwise violating
the sanctuary.
"20:27 Fort jefferson National
Monument CAD Fishing.
!. No coral, shells, sea fans, OF
other forms Of marine life found
In the water, whether alive or des
except fish, crayfish, and the com.
mon species Of conch known Al
the giant strom (Strombus gigasl
shall be taken or disturbed. Dead
shells found about the low tide line
: on Loggerhead Key and Garder
Key may be taken by visitors
Dead shells found above the Low
tide line on other keys shall mo-
be taken without q permit from ths
Superintendent (John De weese)
Dead shells occupied BY hermit
crabs shall not be taken or disturb
ed.
2. Sea Turtles, or the eggs there
Of. whether on land or in the water
shall not be taken or disturbed
SOD Salt water crayfish (Panuliru.
srgusl. known locally as "craw
fish,. "Florida Lobster, or''Car
rihbean Spiny Lobster, shah no
be caught or taken between Marcl
81 and July n, inclusive.
CID Salt water crayfish caught Of
taken measuring less than Il inche
from top Of head 10 tin of tail