2. After obtaining a copy of my statement, several council members questioned me about the lack of involvement during the public hearings regarding VMS. I told the committee that fishermen in Monroe County did not understand that smallholders (hook and line fishermen on small vessels, ot long liners) would be a part of this program. I also stated that many fishermen were still cleaning up after the hurricanes. They also questioned me about how much time it would take people in the Florida Keys to comply? I requested that the program be suspended indefinitely.
3. During the VMS discussion session, the problem in the FLA Keys was often cited. One of the main reasons why the council decided to grant an extension was due to lack of infrastructure for setting up and implementing VMS in the FLa Keys.
4. One of the major reasons for not extending compliance over 90 days was because NMFS does not want fishermen to procrastinate in putting a VMS on their vessels. NMFS believes that the funding that is currently available for reimbursing fishermen could potentially run out in the very near future.
5. Many of the issues/concerns I spoke about publicly during the council meeting were not questioned by council members. This leads me to believe that a decision was made regarding VMS before the issue was discussed.