this mornings Cape Cod times once again has a closure story that leaves out any mention of solutions to the closures we are starting to expeience again where we fish. I sent the following letter to the Times and any other paper I could think of...If others do the same maybe the reporters will be told to cover the...rest of the story
To whom it may concern,
As you should be aware, most of the drivable beaches on Cape Cod are either currently closed or are about to be closed due to the nesting of the endangered Piping Plover. As a result of this situation, many businesses are loosing valuable tourist dollars. Also, many families that rely on vehicular access to the beach are having difficulties in their recreational activities. Beach sticker sales are down across the Cape and this is having a financial effect on beach managers that rely on sticker sales to facilitate their annual budgets. Finally, the public's dissatisfaction with the situation is apparent when we see negative and anti Plover stickers and T-shirts being sold all over the region, even in places where these were not sold in years past. Something obviously has to be done.
The Massachusetts Beach Buggy Association is a 50 plus year old organization advocating for responsible and effective ORV management with over 1000 members throughout the Commonwealth. MBBA has been working with Beach managers, US Fish & Wildlife, Mass Audubon and others to seek out alternative management measures that will allow both adequate protection for the Piping Plover and the access needed by the public to enjoy our wonderful Cape Cod beaches.
The public needs to be informed that coexistence is possible. Recently developing potential short and long term solutions are only achievable when the public is aware they exist. Politicians and beach managers will only act on possible solutions when local business and the public support them.
It is for this reason that I am asking your media outlet to strongly consider first covering the current situation and when you do, make sure that you contact the Massachusetts Beach Buggy Association so that you have all of the current information to include in your coverage. Comprehensive information is very important as our community goes through these difficult and complex times.
MBBA Contact info:
George Cairns-President
Massachusetts Beach Buggy Assn.
E-mail:
Cairnsg@Verizon.net
I thank you for your sonsideration of this matter
sincerley,
Patrick Paquette
Resident, Hyannis MA
Gov't Affairs Officer, MAss Striped Bass Assn.
Executive Director, United Mobile Sport Fishermen
National Shore Access Program, Recreational Fishing Alliance
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