You know, I have thought long and hard over this and there are a few facts that need to be said:
1. How many fisherman made over, hmm say, 5 grand commercially harvesting stripers last year? How many made over a $1,000.00?
2. 99% of these "commercial" striper fisherman have real jobs and do this on vacation or week ends. A plumber is a plumber not a "commercial fisherman".
3. Striped bass are the most important game fish in the Northeast, between tackle sales, bait, gas, lodging, fishing shows/expos, clothing etc etc what are the real numbers in cash flow generated by that aspect as opposed to what a 2 month regulated season brings from the sale of wild harvested stripers? The higher number wins, end of story
4. As stated in my previous post, why don't these various clubs and organizations fund, collectively, professional lobbyists?
5.If you want to make bass a game fish fine with me, I don't sell them anyway (if I was going to sell any fish it would be bluefish at a $1.00 a pound, now that's easy money). What I want is a slot. 1 fish between 20 to 24 inches, the perfect table bass. Take a picture of all the others and keep one trophy if you must a year.
5. As a provision whatever article goes before the legislature must include the banning of taking any herring, menhaden or eels by anyone, commercial or sport fishing for thier use. You want to save the bass, save the bait that sustains it as it's primary sources of protein.
6.Also, add legislation to protect inshore water resources such as bays, inlets, marshes etc from run off from lawn care products, septic system leeching and storm drain and road way runoff.
You need professional lobbyists, not well intentioned sportsman. You need infusions of money, vast amounts of money because that is what turns the wheels of the lobbyist and legislative machine. You need public awareness. Not just to the sporting/fishing community but to everyone. The green movement is a perfect example. Kindergartners know what it means, we are inundated with the principle everywhere we go. Reusable bags at the shopping center etc.
You need to have everyperson who turns on a computer or television to see a 30 or 60 second spot promoting your cause.
It all boils down to money on both sides. If you want to win your fight(s) put up or shut up and then live with the consequences.
That is all. Now back to refinishing my kitchen cabinets.
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