S.A.F.E.R. fighting for our fisheries in the Everglades.

The bass fishermen in South Florida have finally organized to form a group called
S.A.F.E.R.  South Fla. Anglers for Everglades Restoration.  We believe the
the Everglades can be restored with Recreation.  We had a petition drive at
Bass Pro Shops last weekend and collected 1,000 signatures supporting our
cause.  We had Bruce Shupp at our meeting last night, he is the National
Conservation Director of B.A.S.S.  We meet the 2nd Tues of every month at Bass
Pro Shops in Ft. Lauderdale.  It is time for everyone to get involved or we won't have a fishery in South Florida.  Thanks in advance for your Support.  You may email Rick Persson for a copy and collect signatures in your own area also. CONTACT: Rick Persson

Mission Statement 

S.A.F.E.R.  is an association of local bass clubs from Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties, who have joined together to protect the rights of all recreational fishermen from the encroachment on our fishing grounds by the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).  It is our goal to maintain the viability of the Everglades canal system as the great fishery it has been for decades, and to assure accessibility to these waters by all recreational fishermen.

 In order to accomplish this goal, we must:

 1.  Promote the concept of "Restoration with Recreation" to the government agencies involved in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Modified Water Delivery (MWD). Decompartmentalization and Sheetflow Enhancement Project (DECOMP) and the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).

2.  Increase public awareness of the ramifications of the CERP, in general, and of the threat to recreational fishing in the canals in particular.

3.  Influence public policy through an intensive lobbying effort of all concerned government agencies, and elected/appointed officials.

4.  Promote an alternative to the backfilling of the canals in western Dade and Broward counties as called for in DECOMP.

5.  Promote an alternative to the proposed elevated causeway along the Tamiami Trail under the auspices of the MWD.