As the world around us is changing and realizing the need to be more environmentally friendly, so is the Queen Fleet. Time had finally come for our old, fuel-guzzling engines to be replaced. In the fall of 2008 and 2009, we re-powered the Gulf Queen and Super Queen, respectively, with new, EPA-certified Tier 2 engines from MTU/Detroit Diesel. What does this mean?
In a nutshell (and without getting too technical), it means our boats are burning about 40% less fuel and are using about 70% less oil! And thanks to the 4-cycle, computer- controlled technology of these engines, our boats are realizing an amazing 90% exhaust emissions reduction! Furthermore, the astonishing power-to-weight ratio of these engines allows us to get you out to where the fish are biting a little quicker, giving you more time to fish!
***We are West Florida’s ONLY party-fishing fleet that uses these environmentally-friendly engines exclusively!
While we enjoy our right to explore the beautiful waters of the Gulf of Mexico and bring home fish that we intend on eating, the Queen Fleet also stresses releasing all fish that are not going to be used for food.
Furthermore, any fish that are to be released are done so with care, using National Marine Fisheries’ approved methods. This includes using a net to land larger (not keepable) fish that need to have hooks removed, ventilating undersized groupers and other species so that they can get back down to the bottom, and always releasing fish that are undersized and/or out of season.
3. With cooperative scientific research for tomorrow’s sustainable fishery
The Queen Fleet works in conjunction with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and National Marine Fisheries in their studies of Gulf of Mexico fisheries. From the FWC’s fish tagging program to catch records to specimen study, we are all about helping to ensure a sustainable fishery for the future. You may even see one of these researchers on your trip with us tagging fish, or at our dock at the end of the day removing fish ear bones, measuring carcasses, etc., in an effort to learn more about our fishery!