The Red Grouper lawsuit hearing in Federal Court in Washington DC happens Tuesday Oct 18. The Judge will hear our arguments and those of the NMFS, CCA, and State of Louisiana. Attorney fees are coming in and we still need to raise funds to pay the SOFA share. While we fully understand many have been impacted by Hurricane IAN and need every penny they can find to support their families, we are asking for any funds anyone can donate to help with the lawsuit. The attorneys have done an excellent job in their arguments to rescind Amendment 53 which hopefully will provide some much needed relief for the commercial fishers and processors and be a bit of good news for the west coast of Florida. Please pass this request on to anyone you feel may be able to help.
SOFA, the Shareholders Alliance, and others are working together on a lawsuit to take back red grouper allocation to provide fish for commercial fishermen to harvest, seafood processors to process to provide to consumers to purchase and to enjoy fresh caught red grouper to enjoy in local restaurants. This lawsuit is expensive and we all have been able to raise funds to pay for it. We need your help to donate and ask others to donate as well to the Legal Defense Fund. The lawsuit is getting close to being resolved and we are hopeful for a decision in our favor. Please see the below which was posted when the lawsuit began.
Protecting The Gulf Together!
Please Donate and Support Local Commercial Fishing!
Thank you for all your support in bringing together S.O.F.A. and the Shareholders’ Alliance. Our primary purpose is to raise money for litigation to protect commercial fishing quotas. In the process of doing this, you are also entrusted with the responsibility of outreach and education: to make sure that everyone who is impacted by this “reallocation-by-recalibration” understands what happened and how the seafood industry in the Gulf of Mexico (and throughout the country) is coming together to fight it. Whether it is an owner, captain, or deckhand; from the dock workers to the fish houses and processors; restaurants, wholesale and retail markets, even the consumers themselves – everyone should be aware of this battle to reduce public and consumer access and have the opportunity to support it.
Make checks payable to either of the following organizations:
S.O.F.A. Defense Fund Mail To:
Sofa Defense Fund
13417 Gulf Lane, Apt B
Madeira Beach, FL 33708
(727) 310-8993info@southernoffshorefishermen.com
https://www.southernoffshorefishermen.com/
Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance Mail To:
1902 Wharf Road
Galveston, TX 77550
DEAN PRUITT DEMAR FISHING $2,000
F/V AMY LYNN Kenny Daniels $1,000
ED MACINNI 478.50
JIM BONNELL F/V MICHELLE MARIE $1,000
ALEX APPLEFIELD F/V DEJA BLUE $500
MARK DUBE F/V TAURUS $1,500
CarGold Fishery, $4,140.00
A.P. Bell Fish Co., $10,000
Scott Daggett/Randy Lauser, F/V Swordfish, $1,000
Scott Daggett/Randy Lauser, F/V Angelina, $1,000
SOFA, 10-27-21, $25,000
Madeira Beach Seafood, 12-8-21, $5,000
Fishbusters Madeira Beach, LLC, 12-7-21, $5,000
Vessel Bout Time, 12-7-21, $1,000
Vessel High Voltage, 12-7-21, $1,000
Vessel Caseys Pride, 12-7-21, $1,000
EDWARD MACCINI $220
Ed Maccini 8/09/22 $450.00
Ed Maccini 3/07 $252.10
Ed Maccini 3/11 $252.00
Omi Frau 3/11 $2355.00
Ed Maccini 3/22 $255.00
Vessel Midnight Sun, 12-7-21, $1,000
Vessel Blue Water 1, 12-7-21, $1,000
Vessel Star Chief, 12-7-21, $1,000
Vessel Right Stuff, 12-7-21, $1,000
Vessel Angler, 12-7-21, $1,000
Vessel Tobo, 12-7-21, $1,000
Edward Maccini, 12-1-21, $220
Edward Maccini, 11-19-21, $500
Edward Maccini, 11-19-21, $450
S.O.F.A. - We are a non-profit organization formed to promote fresh, high quality, domestic fish. Formed in Madeira Beach over 30 years ago, S.O.F.A.
Southern Offshore Fishermen's Association
13417 Gulf Lane #B, Madeira Beach, FL 33708
Phone: 727-310-8993
