Anglers who want to prevent a loosening of commercial seine laws in Stuart should attend a state workshop from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the Martin County Commission Chambers on Monterey Road.

Public testimony will be heard by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission regarding a request from several seine netters who want to net the inside waters of Martin County. The request is based on what netters claim are conflicting rules and a temporary interpretation by marine officers that had allowed inside-waters seining for a period after Florida's net-ban amendment of 1995.

Coastal Conservation Association of Florida strongly opposes the netters requests and warns that relaxing the county's seine-net ban could lead to changes of "local" laws that have been more restrictive than the net-ban amendment regarding certain types of gear in particular areas.

"It's crucial that sports fishermen speak up and help get this request denied," said Florida Sportsman Founder Karl Wickstrom. "Seine nets inside the inlet are illegal now and have been since 1971. That's the way the huge majority of people in Stuart want it and that's the way we should keep it." More information is available at www.ccaflorida.org.

Moose@seahunters.com