Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating - View Single Post - MV Times article on Oak Bluffs Shark Tournament

Mr. Sandman · 01-17-2006, 10:36 AM

Greg is a great guy and has mentioned in public forums that this tourny provides the bulk of the shark data that they get. But most of the on lookers don't hear that or there is a disconnect between the science and the gore. They see a bunch of pumped up fishermen, a sea of blood and guys with their arms up the sharks abdomen. It doesn't bother me but if you look around most are turned off by this. I think it would be more public friendly if this part of the event was done elsewhere. In my view this is what is driving the problem. If they just came in weighed the fish and claimed the prize that would be enough of a thrill for the public...the blood they don't need. You have to understand the that general public although they eat, pork, chicken and beef, have never been to slauter house to watch them all die to produce it...maybe they should but I doubt the meat produces would be too happy. I think many people would be turned off to see that kind of thing. Even my youngest kid who does a lot of fishing and has seen me clean a lot of fish and knows fish have to die so we can eat them and is not put off by me cleaning fish but, is turned off to watch the spillage in the parking lot. I think it is the shear size fish and the volume of matter that spills out triggers some emotion in many. There are guys with knee high boots that are covered in blood and they look like they are having fun doing it. This is what is what is driving the negitive feedback from the public in my view.

Also, the OB merchants will be fine weather it stays or goes, the place jammed all summer. Another event of some kind will fill the open weekend in minutes. I think the harbor will stay pretty busy but not quite as jammed for a few nights. The harbor generates a lot of cash for the town this is the main money maker for the event. The problems are now that the contest is grown to the point where it is overflowing the harbor and the amount of fuel needed is a concern as well as boat docking. I think these can be resolved (and have been). Bad behavior can is not an issue just a complaint that they pile on to stop the event. I would like to see it stay as I think sharks and shark fishing have a great history here. Also, it is a lot of fun!

01-17-2006, 10:36 AM	#7
Mr. Sandman Registered User iTrader: (0) Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 7,649	Greg is a great guy and has mentioned in public forums that this tourny provides the bulk of the shark data that they get. But most of the on lookers don't hear that or there is a disconnect between the science and the gore. They see a bunch of pumped up fishermen, a sea of blood and guys with their arms up the sharks abdomen. It doesn't bother me but if you look around most are turned off by this. I think it would be more public friendly if this part of the event was done elsewhere. In my view this is what is driving the problem. If they just came in weighed the fish and claimed the prize that would be enough of a thrill for the public...the blood they don't need. You have to understand the that general public although they eat, pork, chicken and beef, have never been to slauter house to watch them all die to produce it...maybe they should but I doubt the meat produces would be too happy. I think many people would be turned off to see that kind of thing. Even my youngest kid who does a lot of fishing and has seen me clean a lot of fish and knows fish have to die so we can eat them and is not put off by me cleaning fish but, is turned off to watch the spillage in the parking lot. I think it is the shear size fish and the volume of matter that spills out triggers some emotion in many. There are guys with knee high boots that are covered in blood and they look like they are having fun doing it. This is what is what is driving the negitive feedback from the public in my view. Also, the OB merchants will be fine weather it stays or goes, the place jammed all summer. Another event of some kind will fill the open weekend in minutes. I think the harbor will stay pretty busy but not quite as jammed for a few nights. The harbor generates a lot of cash for the town this is the main money maker for the event. The problems are now that the contest is grown to the point where it is overflowing the harbor and the amount of fuel needed is a concern as well as boat docking. I think these can be resolved (and have been). Bad behavior can is not an issue just a complaint that they pile on to stop the event. I would like to see it stay as I think sharks and shark fishing have a great history here. Also, it is a lot of fun!